Equestrian | 1/26/2026 12:09:00 PM

CROOKSTON, Minn. - The cheers echoed throughout the arena as senior Kristen Borchert completed her fences ride, winning her point at the first home NCEA meet in program history. As she exited the ring, a sense of pride rushed through her—not just in her performance, but in what it meant for her team. For Borchert, the moment held more than a single ride. It marked the culmination of years of work, from beginning as a walk-on to becoming an athlete her coaches took a chance on. It represented accountability, discipline, and quiet determination.

A senior from Coon Rapids, Minn., Borchert grew up in a single-income household with her mother, where affording horseback riding was often a challenge. Despite financial obstacles, her love and commitment to the sport never faded. At the same time, college was never presented as an option, but as an expectation. From a young age, Borchert attended Spectrum High School, a college preparatory school, where the path ahead became clear and she learned how to balance responsibility with ambition.

Before horses became the center of her life, Borchert participated in a variety of athletics and the arts. She ran cross country and track and field while also developing a strong passion for music. She began playing piano at a young age before transitioning to the flute and later the French horn. Her involvement in concert band continued into collegiate band at a community college. Music remains an important outlet for her outside of the arena.

Borchert's love for horses began early. Her favorite animal was a horse, her favorite toys were ponies, and she eagerly looked forward to pony rides at the fair. That connection grew deeper through her aunt, who operated a therapeutic riding program. "I got to ride one of her horses, and that was super cool," Borchert said. "I always had an interest in them, but that would be my first time on a horse." At just three years old, Borchert experienced her first ride and quickly fell in love with horseback riding. She began riding western at the age of seven before transitioning to English riding in fifth grade, a shift that solidified her passion for the sport. "Probably my first ride at the English barn—it was this ride when I knew this is what I wanted to do," Borchert said.

As she developed as a rider, several horses played a significant role in her journey, most notably Bisco and later her personal horse, Charlie. Bisco helped build her foundation, while Charlie became a symbol of trust. When Borchert first brought Charlie home, she was told he was difficult to catch and that it might take time for him to respond. Instead, Charlie waited at the gate for her immediately. The moment solidified their connection and built the trust, relationship, and friendship they still share today.

Being a collegiate athlete has not always been easy. Borchert began her career as a walk-on, and unlike individual competition, collegiate meets introduced team pressure to every ride. She admits she is often harsher on herself in collegiate competition—not because of personal performance, but because of the responsibility she feels toward her teammates. "You have a team, and for me the biggest thing is wanting to do well for them," Borchert said. "I tend to be harder on myself when I don't get my point, not because of how I rode, but because it affects the team." The internal nature of judging and the random draw of horses have taught her adaptability and mental resilience.

After touring several colleges, Borchert chose the University of Minnesota Crookston for both academic and athletic reasons. Wanting to stay close to home, she found a sense of belonging at Crookston. Transitioning from walk-on to scholarship athlete marked a major milestone that strengthened her confidence and dedication.

Outside of riding, Borchert remains creatively engaged through music, reading, video editing, graphic design, and her involvement in University Relations on campus. "My whole life is horses, but I've always had a passion for music and creating," Borchert said. "Whether it's video editing or making some sort of graphic, that's something I really enjoy." As the semester progresses, she strives to maintain her 4.0 GPA while pursuing athletic goals that include a new personal best in fences and greater consistency in flat scoring.

As Minnesota Crookston continues to focus on NCEA competition, Borchert looks ahead to the future of the program, currently the only Division II dual-discipline team in the country. Through every success and setback, she has learned one essential lesson: failure is inevitable, but growth comes from getting back up and moving forward.