Golden Eagles Earn Pair of High Point Team Accolades at NDSU; Fenna Claims Two High Point Rider Titles
-FARGO, N.D. – The University of Minnesota Crookston western equestrian team had an outstanding weekend in three shows at North Dakota State University Fri., Nov. 16 through Sun., Nov. 18. The Golden Eagles won High Point Team on Friday and Saturday, and earned Reserve High Point Team Sunday. Whitney Fenna (Sr., Foley, Minn.) took home High Point Rider Friday, while Megan Motter (Sr., Cooperstown, N.D.) was Reserve High Point Rider. Fenna tied for the High Point Rider Saturday, while Sunday Motter took Reserve High Point Rider honors.
Friday’s show opened up on a great note with Fenna taking home first in the reining, while Motter placed third. In Open Horsemanship, Fenna finished first, while Motter took fourth.
Madeline Drayna (Jr., Milaca, Minn.) placed fifth in Advanced Horsemanship for the Golden Eagles. In Novice Horsemanship, Rae Ann Michel (So., Monticello, Minn.) and Alyssa Evavold (So., Battle Lake, Minn.) each took first in their sections with great dies, while Shayla Marthaler (Jr., Osakis, Minn.) placed fifth in her section. Jordyn Newberg (So., Deer River, Minn.) placed third in her section of Novice Horsemanship.
In Intermediate II Horsemanship, Beatrice Streifel (Fr., Hawley, Minn.) had a great ride in her section to place third, while Tristyn Hoechst (Fr., Winnebago, Minn.) and Katie Crum (Fr., Scandia, Minn.) each took third in their respective sections. April Klecker (Fr., Amboy, Minn.) earned fourth in her section, while Jayde Proffitt (Jr., Winsted, Minn.) finished in seventh.
Saturday, Minnesota Crookston had yet another strong day of competition. Fenna placed fifth in the reining, while Motter took home sixth. In Open Horsemanship, Fenna had another phenomenal ride to earn first, while Motter placed fourth.
In Advanced Horsemanship, Drayna put together a great ride to place first. In Novice Horsemanship, Newberg took her section with a first-place finish, while Marthaler was right behind her in second. Evavold finished in second in her section following a great showing, while Michel took third. Whitney Weidenborner (Jr., Bemidji, Minn.) finished in fifth in her section.
In Intermediate II Horsemanship, Streifel and Crum each took second in their respective sections. Hoechst finished in third in her section, while Klecker and Proffitt each placed in fourth in their sections.
“Overall Saturday was not our best showing, we had some inconsistencies here and there,” said Head Coach Kayla Krueger. “We were determined to make day three our best yet.”
Motter opened up Sunday by finishing in second in the reining, while Fenna was right behind her with a solid third-place finish. Motter took third in her section of Open Horsemanship, as did Fenna.
In Advanced Horsemanship, Drayna placed second to continue a strong weekend.
The Golden Eagles had a great showing in Advanced Horsemanship as both Michel and Newberg took home the win in their sections, while Marthaler placed second. Evavold finished fourth in her section, while Weidenborner placed fifth.
In Intermediate II Horsemanship, Streifel, Proffitt and Klecker each put together great rides to finish in second in their respective sections, while Crum and Hoechst each placed in third. In Beginner Horsemanship, Savanna Weber (Fr., Silver Lake, Minn.) finished in fourth.
“Our consistency improved much from day two, especially in our lower level divisions,” Krueger said. “I could not have been happier with how this team came together and performed over the course of the three days, especially our freshman at their first road competition of the season. This team exceeded my expectations and I can’t wait to see what they bring to UW-River Falls’ arena.”
The western equestrian team returns to action against University of Wisconsin-River Falls Nov. 30, Dec. 1, and Dec. 2 in River Falls, Wis.
