STILLWATER, Minn.  – The University of Minnesota Crookston western equestrian team competed in a pair of shows at University of Minnesota Sat., Feb. 10 and Sun., Feb. 11 in Stillwater, Minn. The Golden Eagles took home High Point Team in Sunday's show.

"We had a challenging day Saturday, however we made up ground to finish as the High Point Team at the completion of Sunday's show," said Head Coach Kayla Krueger. "Over 75 percent of the team has qualified for Regionals March 4 and we are excited to compete within our home arena at the last horse show of the year. We are hoping to have many move on to the Zone 7 Finals scheduled for April 8^th in Springfield, Mo."

Mazie Pini (Jr., Grayslake, Ill.) opened up Saturday's show by taking third place in Open Equitation over Fences. Selena Young (Jr., Plymouth, Minn.) then took her section of Open Fences with a confident ride. Rachel Johnson was not far behind Young as she finished in third place.

In Open Equitation on the Flat, Monika Frame (Sr., Polson, Mont.) placed second in her section with Johnson coming in right behind her in third place. Young and Pini also rode together in their section of Open Flat with Young placing second and Pini third.

In Advanced Walk/Trot/Canter, Emma Howey (Jr., Rutland, N.D.) took third place in her section. In Novice Flat, Ellie Waagen finished second in a large class as she put forth a solid ride. Sierra Coons (So., Donnybrook, N.D.) also had a strong ride on a more challenging draw as she finished third in Advanced Walk/Trot/Canter. To finish out Saturday's show, Amanda Olson (Fr., Winsted, N.D.) placed second in a large class of Walk/Trot.

On the second day of competition, Frame opened the day with a third-place finish in Open Fences. Pini took fourth, while Young was fifth in Open Fences.
Motter found much more success in the second day of competition as she finished second in Intermediate Fences. Waagen put together a confident fence round in a very large Novice Fences class as she placed second.

In Open Flat, Minnesota Crookston represented well with Young winning her section and Pini coming in right behind as she placed second. Frame also had a solid go in Open Flat, finishing fourth.
Motter continued her strong day as she won her class of Intermediate Flat on a challenging draw. Sarah Cartier (Fr., Woodbury, Minn.) placed sixth in Advanced Walk/Trot/Canter, while Coons finished fourth in her section. Megan Doughty (So., Hackensack, Minn.) also rode within the same section, placing fifth.
Olson rounded out the day finishing fifth in Walk/Trot.

Minnesota Crookston will host a home show March 3 at 1 p.m. before hosting the IHSA Regional Championship March 4 at 9 a.m.