(Crookston, Minn.)- The University of Minnesota, Crookston Hunt Seat Equestrian team hosted its annual home show on Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8. It was a successful show for the Golden Eagles and the final show the hunt seat squad until February 13-14, 2010.

Saturday's competition started off with big wins On the Flat and Over Fences from Laura Critchett (Jr, Shoreview, Minn.) and Nicole Veres (Sr, Random Lake, Wis.). Critchett and Veres finished the competition tied for High Point Rider. Paige Marek (Fr, St. Croix Falls, Wis.) took second in Intermediate Equitation Over Fences and Sara Wells (Sr, Calgary, Alb.) took a second in Novice Equitation Over Fences. April Jordan (Fr, Beaver Dam, Wis.) then took a second in Novice Flat. Angela Peterson (Fr, Detroit Lakes, Minn.) took second in her Advanced Walk-Trot-Canter section. Jessica Charles (Fr, Belgrade Lakes, Maine) won her Beginner Walk-Trot-Canter section and pointed up to Advanced Walk-Trot-Canter. Katelyn Mueller (So, Belle Plaine, Minn.) also won her Beginner Walk-Trot-Canter class. Melanie Rodriguez (Fr, Chanhassen, Minn.) won her Walk Trot section securing U of M, Crookston a High Point Team win. Sara Wells and Nicole Veres both qualified for the Regional Championships Saturday in their respective jumping divisions.

Sunday's competition started off strong with a second place finish for Jessica Biddle (Sr, Elburn, Ill.) in Open Equitation Over Fences and a win by Sara Wells in Intermediate Equitation Over Fences. Lauren Snively (So, Herndon, Vir.) went on to win her Novice Equitation Over Fences section which qualified her for the Regional Championships. Paige Marek won her Novice Flat section. Kaitlyn Weiger (So, Duluth, Minn.) took second place in her Beginner Walk-Trot-Canter class and Melanie Rodriguez won her Walk Trot class. She also qualified for the Regional Championships in Walk Trot. The day ended with the team finishing second overall behind South Dakota State University and taking the Reserve High Point Team title.

"I was very impressed with how well the team worked together to help each other through the good times and the not so good times," says Golden Eagle Head Coach Brooke Leininger. "They showed that they are true contenders against some very competitive teams and kept fighting until the very end. We will be working to keep the momentum going in to the spring."

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: Laura Critchett