(Crookston, Minn.)- The University of Minnesota, Crookston Hunt Seat Equestrian team traveled to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls this past Saturday and Sunday for a pair of important shows. The Golden Eagles showed that they are, once again, a team to be reckoned with in the region earning the High Point Team Title both days.

At Saturday's competition, the team started off strong and maintained the lead finishing with 31 points. This was well ahead of second place finisher Gustavus Adolphus College who had 24 points and third place finisher the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities who had 21. Sunday started off slow for U of M, Crookston but the team gained momentum as the day progressed and finished with 35 points. Gustavus Adolphus College had 29 and the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities had 20. "Overall, I was very pleased at how well the team rode and felt that they pushed themselves further than they have before," says Golden Eagle Head Coach Brooke Leininger. "It is exciting to see such a young, talented team pull together and really show this kind of talent and perseverance."

Laura Critchett (Sr, Shoreview, Minn.) took second in Open Equitation Over Fences on Saturday followed by a win in Open Equitation on the Flat Sunday. Lauren Snively (Jr, Herndon, Vir.) won her Intermediate Equitation Over Fences Class on Saturday and her Intermediate Equitation on Flat Class Sunday which puts her just one point shy of qualifying for the Regional Championships in On the Flat. Sara Wells (Sr, Calgary, Alberta) pointed up to Open Flat after Saturday's ride and also took second in Intermediate Equitation Over Fences and third in Open Equitation on the Flat on Sunday. She is now qualified for the Regional Championships in both Intermediate Equitation on the Flat and Over Fences.

Addie O'Neil (So, Redwood Falls, Minn.) finished third in Novice Equitation Over Fences on Saturday and. Amanda Overman (Fr, Lindenhurst, Ill.) came in third in Novice Equitation on the Flat on Sunday. Angela Peterson (So, Detroit Lakes, Minn.) took second in her Novice Equitation on the Flat on Saturday and third in both her Novice Flat Class and Over Fences Class on Sunday. Jessica Charles (So, Belgrade Lakes, Maine) won her Novice Equitation On the Flat Class on Sunday after some tough rides on Saturday. The Walk Trot Canter riders made a bang with a win from Melanie Rodriguez (So, Chanhassen, Minn.) and Rebecca Wittrock (Fr, Forest Lake, Minn.) while Tiffany Rask-Hollman (So, Minneapolis, Minn.) took second. On Sunday, Rask took first while Rodriguez took second. Annalee Sundin (Fr, Deer River, Minn.) won the Walk Trot Class at both Saturday and Sunday's competitions.

The University of Minnesota Hunt Seat Equestrian team returns to action on Saturday, November 6 and Sunday, November 7 when they host a home show at the University Teaching and Outreach Center (UTOC). Saturday's show begins at 11 a.m. while Sunday's begins at 9 a.m.

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: Sara Wells