(Crookston, Minn.)- The University of Minnesota, Crookston Women's Western Equestrian team opened the 2009-2010 season on Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11 with a show at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

The Golden Eagles finished in third place behind North Dakota State University (NDSU) and South Dakota State University (SDSU).  U of M, Crookston's highest placing rider on Saturday was Amanda Flint, (Fr, Abredeen, S.D.) who won the Intermediate I Class. Becky Rhodus, (Jr, Kansas City, Missouri) rode a tough horse to a second place finish in a deep Novice Horsemanship Class. Anna Steen, (So, Hanover, Minn.) also took home a second place finish in the Walk Trot Division.

Sunday proved to be more successful as team captain, Amanda Peterson (Sr, Rochester, Minn.) started out the day by placing second in the Reining Class and first in the Horsemanship Class to earn the overall High Point Rider Award. Mary Hurley, (Jr, Grand Meadow, Minn.) rode admirably to tie for the Reserve High Point Rider Award. Transfer Lisa Schabo (Jr, Appleton, Wis.) took the blue ribbon in a huge Walk Trot Division. Also, Amanda Gozel (So, Shoreview, Minn.) won the blue in Intermediate I Class. Other solid performances included Kaitlyn Tollefsrud (So, Hawley, Minn.), Megan Kramer (So, Owatonna, Minn.) and Amy Van Treeck (Fr, Sheboygan Falls, Wis.) all taking second place in their respective divisions. The Golden Eagles finished out a very successful day by winning the High Point Team Award.

The University of Minnesota, Crookston Western Equestrian team returns to action on Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31 when they travel to Brookings, S.D. for a show at South Dakota State University. Friday's show will begin at 5 p.m. while Saturday's show will begin at 1 p.m.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics Web site at http://www.goldeneaglesports.com/.

The University of Minnesota, Crookston is a NCAA Division II Institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).

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Photo Caption: Amanda Peterson