(Crookston, Minn.)- The University of Minnesota, Crookston Hunt Seat Equestrian team closes out the 2009-2010 regular season with a pair of shows on Saturday, February 27 and Sunday, February 28 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Saturday's show begins at 1 p.m. while Sunday's show gets underway at 9 a.m.

The Golden Eagles are looking to close out this season in strong fashion going into the regional competition hosted by the University of Minnesota, Crookston on March 6-7. U of M, Crookston is currently in the lead in the region over UW-Madison and are looking to claim the Zone 9, Region 3 Championship.

Laura Critchett (Jr, Shoreview, Minn.) only needs three points to qualify for regionals in Open Jumping and Open Flat. Jessica Biddle (Sr, Elburn, Ill.) is already qualified in On the Flat and is only seven points from qualifying in Over Fences. Coach Brooke Leininger also expects Jessica Charles (Fr, Belgrade Lakes, Maine), Angela Peterson (Fr, Detroit Lakes, Minn.) and Kaitlyn Weiger (So, Duluth, Minn.) to qualify in Walk-Trot-Canter. She also expects big qualifying weekends from Heather Fogelson (So, Grant, Minn.) and April Jordan (Fr, Beaver Dam, Wis.) in Open Flat and Novice Flat respectively.

More information on the Zone 9, Region 3 standings can be found at the following address.

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).

-30-