(Crookston, Minn.)- The University of Minnesota, Crookston Hunt Seat and Western Equestrian teams opened the 2010-2011 season with very successful shows.

The University of Minnesota, Crookston Hunt Seat team started the 2010-2011 season with a successful show at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn. In addition to the host Gusties and U of M, Crookston, the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, University of Wisconsin-River Falls, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, Rochester Community and Technical College and St. Cloud State University participated.

Coach Brooke Leininger felt the show was a huge success. "I was pleased at how well the team came together and pulled through some very tough moments," says Coach Leininger. "I was especially excited to see some of the freshman come out and compete as well as they did for the first time along with the Novice riders that competed over fences for the first time. They rode smart and stayed focused."

At Saturday's competition, Angela Peterson (So, Detroit Lakes, Minn.) finished second in Novice Equitation Over Fences and second in Novice Equitation on the Flat. Jessica Charles (So, Belgrade Lakes, Maine) won in her Novice Equitation Over Fences class and took second in her Novice Equitation on the Flat section, making her the Reserve High Point Rider. Tiffany Rask-Holloman (So, Minneapolis, Minn.) and Rebecca Wittrock (Fr, Forest Lake, Minn.) both won their Walk-Trot-Canter classes, and Annalee Sundin (Fr, Deer River, Minn.) took second in Walk Trot. The team finished second overall as Reserve High Point Team behind the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.

Sunday's competition started off with a win from Angela Peterson in Novice Equitation Over Fences and a second in Novice Equitation on the Flat which gave her the Reserve High Point Rider title. Jessica Charles was second in Novice Equitation Over Fences. Laura Critchett (Sr, Shoreview, Minn.) finished second in Open Equitation on the Flat and Sara Wells (Sr, Calgary, Alb.) finished first in Intermediate Equitation on the Flat. Katelyn Mueller (Jr, Belle Plaine, Minn.) pointed out of Walk Trot Canter which qualified her for the Regional Championships in March. Rebecca Wittrock once again won her Walk-Trot-Canter class and Annalee Sundin won the Walk Trot Class. The team finished the day as High Point Team.

The Golden Eagle Western team also had a very successful weekend in River Falls, Wis. at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. On Saturday, the team was extremely consistent and won many blue ribbons. Class winners included:  Kaitlyn Tollefsrud (Jr, Hawley, Minn.), Amanda Flint (So, Aberdeen, S.D.), Karen Carpenedo (So, Bessemer, Mich.), Anna Steen (Jr, Hanover, Minn.), Sabra Amundson (Fr, Colton, S.D.) and Amy Van Treeck (So, Sheboygan Falls, Wis.). Following with several second place finishes were Megan Kramer (Jr, Owatonna, Minn.) and Lisa Schabo (So, Appleton, Wis.). Kayla Klein (Sr, Hazen, N.D.) grabbed a third place in her Open Horsemanship division. U of M, Crookston ended the day one point out of the High Point team and took Reserve High Point Team for the day. It was a strong start at one of the toughest horse shows they will attend this year. 

On Sunday, Klein started out with a first place finish in the open again. Kayla Krueger (So, Walker, Minn.) rode extremely well to a second place ribbon along with Steen. Carpenedo and Amundson again had solid rides to first place. Melissa Frietag (Fr, Wolverton, Minn.) and Shabo each took third. The team finished up one point out of reserve and ended up third overall for points at the end of the day. "I was very excited to see the team perform so well at the first show of the season," says Golden Eagle Western Coach Nicky Overgaard. "They all rode so well and those riders that struggled the first day had better rides the second day. The improvement is very important for us."

The Hunt Seat team returns to action on October 9-10 at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. The Western team will host a home show at the University Teaching and Outreach Center (UTOC) on October 23-24.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics Web site at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

The University of Minnesota, Crookston is an 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:  Hunt Seat Team after winning Sunday's Competition,  Katelyn Mueller