(Crookston, Minn.)- The University of Minnesota, Crookston Hunt Seat Equestrian team had a successful showing at the Zone 9 Competition last Sunday. The show was hosted by Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Ill.

The team was represented by Jessica Biddle (Sr, Elburn, Ill.), Sara Wells (Sr, Calgary, Alb.), April Jordan (Fr, Beaver Dam, Wis.), Anna Steen (So, Hanover, Minn.), Katelyn Mueller (So, Belle Plaine, Minn.) and Jessica Charles (Fr, Belgrade Lakes, Maine.). The Golden Eagles were tied for second place for most of the day but lost it at the end. The top two teams went on to the National Championships in Lexington, Kentucky. The hunt seat team has not qualified for Zone Finals since 1999 making it a major accomplishment to even make it to the competition.

Jessica Charles and Heather Fogelson (So, Grant, Minn.) both qualified for Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Nationals as individuals. IHSA Nationals will take place in Lexington, Kentucky from May 6-9.  Jessica Charles has had a very successful season and has worked extremely hard to get where she is. On Sunday, she had a great ride on a tough draw and finished as Reserve Champion.

"I expect her to go to nationals and represent UMC very well," says Golden Eagle Head Coach Brooke Leininger.

Heather Fogelson qualified for nationals in Novice Equitation Over Fences with a championship finish on Sunday.

 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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