(Crookston, Minn.)- The University of Minnesota, Crookston Hunt Seat Equestrian team had a solid showing at its home show this weekend. The Golden Eagles were the high point team both days and lead the region with 196 points. The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC) is in second place with 158 points followed by Gustavus Adolphus College (GAC) with 131.

"The team pulled together to make these two wins happen," says U of M, Crookston Head Coach Brooke Leininger. "They are dedicated, hard-working athletes and I am very proud of how they did this weekend."

At Saturday's competition, the team came from behind from fourth place to win by one point. The day started off with a second place finish from Laura Critchett (Sr, Shoreview, Minn.) in Open Equitation Over Fences and a win in Open Equitation on the Flat. This gave her the Reserve High Point Rider title. Chelsea Vandenhemel (Fr, Owatonna, Minn.) won Intermediate Equitation Over Fences and took second in Intermediate Equitation on the Flat which tied her for Reserve High Point. Angela Peterson (So, Detroit Lakes, Minn.) finished second in Novice Equitation Over Fences followed by a second in Novice Equitation on the Flat. Sara Wells (Sr, Calgary, Alb.) finished second in Open Equitation on the Flat. Both Rebecca Wittrock (Fr, Forest Lake, Minn.) and Tiffany Rask-Holloman (So, Minneapolis, Minn.) finished second in their respective Advanced Walk Trot Canter classes followed by a second place finish from Melanie Rodriguez (So, Chanhassen, Minn.) in Beginner Walk Trot Canter. The day finished with wins from Walk Trot riders Annalee Sundin (Fr, Deer River, Minn.) and Lisa Schabo (So, Appleton, Wis.). The team finished the day with 32 points followed by SDSU with 30 points and RCTC at 29 points.

Sunday's competition started with winning rides from Chelsea Vandenhemel in Intermediate Equitation Over Fences and Denise Thompson (Fr, West Irondequoit, N.Y.) in Novice Equitation Over Fences. Lauren Snively (Jr, Herndon, Vir.) finished second in Intermediate Equitation Over Fences and Sara Wells finished second in Open Equitation Over Fences. Laura Critchett was second in Open Equitation on the Flat followed by a second from Megan Claybundy (Sr, International Falls, Minn.) in Novice Equitation on the Flat. Melanie Rodriguez was second in Beginner Walk Trot Canter followed by a second place finish from Walk Trot rider Lisa Schabo. The team finished the day with 32 points with UMTC coming in second with 31 points.

The Golden Eagles are off until February 19-20, 2011 when they travel to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Shows begin at 1 p.m. and 9 a.m. respectively.

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).
 
                                                                   -30-