Golden Eagles Show Improvement From First Day to Second Day at Home Shows Last Weekend
CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston western equestrian team competed in a pair of home shows at the University Teaching and Outreach Center Sat., Nov. 4 and Sun., Nov. 5 in Crookston, Minn.
The Golden Eagles started out Saturday with Katie Warner (Sr., Warba, Minn.) and Katelynn Robertson (Sr., Roseau, Minn.) competing together in Open Reining. Robertson took home fourth-place, while Robertson finished sixth.
Robertson and Warner both competed again in Open Horsemanship. Warner earned a third-place finish in her section, while Robertson took third in her section.
Next, Minnesota Crookston took the show pen in Advanced Horsemanship. Whitney Fenna (Jr., Foley, Minn.) place fifth. In Novice Horsemanship, the Golden Eagles had four riders with Madeline Drayna (So., Milaca, Minn.), EmmaRae Nelson (So., Thief River Falls, Minn.), Whitney Weidenborner (So., Bemidji, Minn.), and Sadie Bingham (Fr., Gary, S.D.) all representing Minnesota Crookston. Drayna took sixth place in her section. Nelson finished in first after a flawless ride, while Weidenborner took third with a very solid ride. Bingham finished sixth for the Golden Eagles.
Jordyn Newberg (Fr., Deer River, Minn.), Shayla Marthaler (So., Osakis, Minn.), Rae Ann Michel (Fr., Monticello, Minn.), Alyssa Evavold (Fr., Battle Lake, Minn.), and Skyla Knudtson (Jr., Blooming Prairie, Minn.) all rode in the Intermediate Division. Newberg finished second in her section of Novice. Marthaler took fourth, and Michel sixth. Evavold finished second in her section, while Knudtson was just short of placings.
To wrap up Saturday, Minnesota Crookston competed in Beginner Horsemanship. Megan Doughty (So., Hackensack, Minn.) and Jayde Proffitt (So., Winsted, Minn.) had good rides for the Golden Eagles as Doughty took third and Proffitt finished in second place.
“We experienced some challenges on our home horses on Saturday,” said Head Coach Kayla Krueger. “We underestimated the differences that may occur within our stock from practices to the show atmosphere. However, each rider pulled together determined to make Sunday a stronger day.”
Warner and Robertson again opened the day in Open Reining. Robertson took fourth, while Warner finished in sixth place. The Golden Eagles showed vast improvement in Open Horsemanship, with Warner and Robertson each placing in third in their sections.
In Advanced Horsemanship, Fenna finished second in a very deep class. In Novice, rider Drayna had a much stronger ride than Saturday’s, as she placed second. Nelson was faced with a challenging draw and finished just shy of placings. Weidenborner earned sixth in her section of Novice, while Bingham brought home her first win of the year in her section.
Proffitt rode her first day in Intermediate after pointing out of beginner the day before. She finished in fourth. Evavold continued her hot streak bringing home yet another win for Minnesota Crookston in her section of Intermediate. Marthaler earned sixth, while Newberg took second. To wrap up the day, Doughty finished third in Beginner Horsemanship.
“Sunday was a much stronger day for the Golden Eagle riders,” Krueger said. “We finished the meet just shy of a Reserve High Point tile. However, I was still impressed with each riders comeback from a rough show the day before. Most of all I am excited about our newcomers that are continuing to find their stride and confidence. Freshman year as Golden Eagle equestrian can have its fair share of challenges. Being faced with foreign horses and a competitive format none of them have experienced. This years squad continues to take it all in stride, growing strong each practice and competition.”
The Minnesota Crookston western equestrian team will compete in a NCEA match with South Dakota State University Fri., Nov. 10 before heading to shows at North Dakota State University in Fargo, N.D. Sat., Nov. 11 and Sun., Nov. 12.
