(Crookston, Minn.)- The University of Minnesota, Crookston Western Equestrian team had another strong showing this weekend at North Dakota State University (NDSU) in Fargo, N.D.

On Saturday, Amanda Peterson (Sr, Rochester, Minn.) won the Open Reining and the Open Horsemanship Classes giving her the High Point Rider title of the day. Mary Hurley (Jr, Grand Meadow, Minn.) placed fifth in the Reining and third in the Open Horsemanship Classes to earn her the Reserve High Point Rider Award for the day. Megan Kramer (So, Owatonna, Minn.) and Anna Steen (So, Hanover, Minn.) took home first place honors in the Intermediate and Beginner Sections of their Horsemanship Classes. This gave Steen enough points to qualify her for the Regional Championship. The Golden Eagles ended the day as High Point Team with 35 points topping NDSU who had 22.

Sunday again started out with a bang with Tandra Klein (Jr, Hazen, N.D.) winning the Open Reining and the Open Horsemanship to win the High Point Rider of the Day award. Mary Hurley earned enough points to win the Reserve High Point Rider of the Day award. Kayla Klein (Jr, Hazen, N.D.) won the Advanced Horsemanship Class with Sarah Nowacki (Sr, Stephen, Minn.) taking second place in the same division. Kaitlyn Tollefsrud (So, Hawley, Minn.) rode her way to a win in the Novice Division as well. Addie O'Neil (Fr, Redwood Falls, Minn.) came back from a shaky class on Saturday to win the Intermediate Division on Sunday.  Anna Steen and Amanda Gozel (So, Shoreview, Minn.) were both second in their Intermediate Sections and Lisa Schabo (So, Appleton, Wis.) wrapped up the day taking second place in the Beginner Division. U of M, Crookston was Sunday's High Point Team over the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

This weekend's shows earned the University of Minnesota, Crookston a first place berth in the overall regional standings over some tough teams such as North Dakota State University, South Dakota State University and the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. "The girls had a phenomenal weekend in the show pen," says Golden Eagle Western Coach Nicky Overgaard.  "They are riding well and making fewer mistakes in front of the judge.  They are really learning how to show and understanding what it takes to win in this region. I am so pleased with their performances and am looking forward to a strong home show on December 5th and 6th."

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: 2009-2010 Golden Eagle Western Equestrian Team at the NDSU Show