FARGO, N.D. – The University of Minnesota Crookston western equestrian team earned Reserve High Point Team accolades in an IHSA meet at North Dakota State University Saturday, February 25. Belle Sand (So., Spicer, Minn.) was named Reserve High Point Rider. In addition, the Golden Eagles qualified four riders for the IHSA Regional Championships Sunday, February 26 (Sand, Olivia Becker, Ashlyn Montague, and Eliza Freund). Sand claimed a Reserve Regional Championship in Open Reining and advanced to the IHSA Semifinals March 18-19 at The Grand Oaks in Weirsdale, Fla. Becker (Sr., Deer Park, Wis.) was named Regional Champion in Open Horsemanship and she also advanced to the IHSA Semifinals.

In Saturday's show in Fargo, N.D., Minnesota Crookston had several strong showings. Becker took second and Sand finished third in Open Reining. In Open Horsemanship section one, Becker took second, while RaeAnna Danielson (Fr., Harris, Minn.) finished fifth. In section two, Sand finished first, Montague (Fr., Draper, Utah) fourth, and Rebecca Clark (Sr., Austin, Minn.) fifth.

In Level II Horsemanship, Zoey Haas (Jr., Farmington, Minn.) put together a strong ride to take second. In section one of Level I Horsemanship, Elle Cymbaluk (Fr., Detroit Lakes, Minn.) took second, while Brooke Hoven (Fr., Ankeny, Iowa) finished fourth. In section two, Grace Meyers (Sr., Fairmont, Minn.) placed second, while Hannah Heins (Fr., Rochester, Minn.) placed sixth. In section three, Bethanie Gravelle (Fr., Aitkin, Minn.) finished second, while Freund placed fifth.

In Rookie B Horsemanship, Kassidy Kalka (Fr., Cottage Grove, Minn.) placed fourth. In Beginner Horsemanship, Hailey Schlotfeldt (Fr., Luverne, N.D.) placed second, while Jenna Seibert placed fourth.

In Sunday's Regional Championship meet, Becker led the Golden Eagles by winning the Regional Championship in Open Horsemanship to move on to the IHSA Semifinals. Sand also put together a great ride to take second and earn the Reserve Regional Championship in Open Reining. Montague placed fourth in Open Horsemanship, while Freund (So., Cando, N.D.) also competed for the Golden Eagles in a strong regional field.

The Golden Eagle hunt seat team hosts a home meet Saturday, March 4 at 10 a.m., and Sunday, March 5 at 9 a.m. IHSA Semifinals are March 18-19 at The Grand Oaks in Weirsdale, Fla.