(Crookston, Minn.)- The University of Minnesota, Crookston Hunt Seat Equestrian team joined their western team counterparts as champions when the Golden Eagles clinched the Zone 9, Region 3 Championship this past weekend in Madison, Wis. U of M, Crookston took the High Point team title on Saturday and the Reserve High Point team title on Sunday.

Lauren Snively (So, Herndon, Vir.) won her Intermediate Jumping class Saturday and took third place in Intermediate Flat. On Sunday, she then took third in Intermediate Jumping. Heather Fogelson (So, Grant, Minn.) took second in Novice Fences Saturday and won her class on Sunday which qualified her for regionals. On Saturday, Sara Wells (Sr, Calgary, Alb.) tied for High Point Rider with a win in her Intermediate Flat class and a second place finish in Intermediate Fences. On Sunday, she returned and took second in her Intermediate Flat class. Laura Critchett (Jr, Shoreview, Minn.) finished third in Open Flat both Saturday and Sunday which gave her enough points to qualify for regionals. Angela Peterson (Fr, Detroit Lakes, Minn.) won her Advanced Walk-Trot-Canter class on Saturday qualifying her for regionals. She then won her first ever Novice Flat class on Sunday. Jessica Charles (Fr, Belgrade Lakes, Maine) won her Advanced Walk-Trot- Canter class on Saturday qualifying her for regionals. She then took second in her first Novice Flat class. Kaitlyn Weiger (So, Duluth, Minn.) took second in Advanced Walk-Trot-Canter on Sunday qualifying her for regionals. Anna Steen (So, Hanover, Minn.) won her Walk -Trot classes both Saturday and Sunday. Annie Kelly (So, Jordan, Minn.) took second in Walk-Trot Saturday and third on Sunday.

"I couldn't be more proud of this team and what they accomplished this year," says Golden Eagle Head Equestrian Coach Brooke Leininger. "They worked hard and overcame huge odds to win this title."

The Golden Eagles will take part in the regional competition hosted at the University Teaching and Outreach Center (UTOC) on the U of M, Crookston campus. The Western Regionals will take place on Saturday at 10 a.m. The Hunt Seat Regionals will take place on Sunday 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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