CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston hunt seat equestrian team put together a strong weekend in a pair of home shows at the University Teaching and Outreach Center (UTOC) in Crookston, Minn. The Golden Eagles earned High Point team honors on both Sat., Feb. 9 and Sun., Feb. 10. Kayley Melton (Fr., Yuma, Ariz.) earned Individual Reserve Champion honors on Saturday, while Morgan Schelske (Fr., Zimmerman, Minn.) was named Individual High Point rider for Sunday.
The Golden Eagles started out strong Saturday, as Selena Young (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.) earned second place in Open Fences. Mazie Pini (Sr., Grayslake, Ill.) earned sixth place. Melton earned second in Intermediate Equitation over Fences.
Gabrielle Waagen (So., Bottineau, N.D.) earned third place in Novice Fences, while Sarah Cartier (So., Woodbury, Minn.) picked up a sixth-place finish.
The Golden Eagles also had strong showings on the flat. In Open Flat, Melton brought home the win, with Pini earning third, and Young taking fourth.
In Intermediate Flat, Schelske finished sixth. In Novice Flat, the Golden Eagle riders put forth solid outings as Taylor Barlage (Fr., New Prague, Minn.) finished second in her section, while Cartier also took second in her section, as did Coons. Waagen picked up a sixth-place finish in her section.
In Advanced Walk Trot Canter, Katherine Buttolph (Fr., Yankton, S.D.), and Amanda Olson (So., Winsted, Minn.) finished second in each of their sections, while Emma Howey (Sr., Rutland, N.D.) took sixth place.
Katie Orth (Fr., Randall, Minn.) had her first win of the season in Beginner Walk Trot Canter. Brittney Myers (Jr., Cottage Grove, Minn.) wasn’t far behind with a third-place finish in her section.
Both Minnesota Crookston Walk Trot riders dominated the class with Anna Woidyla (Fr., Swanville, Minn.) and Rebecca Eichhorn (Fr., West Bend, Wis.) taking both the wins in each division of Walk Trot.
“We had such an awesome day on Saturday,” said Head Coach Kayla Krueger. “I was very impressed with the rides we put together and we were looking to head into Sunday with the same type of energy.”
The Golden Eagles continued their strong weekend as they opened up Sunday’s show. Pini opened the day by taking first in Open Fences, while Young placed third.
Schelske clinched her first win in a large group of Intermediate Fence riders with a fabulous round.
Barlage found her stride in Novice Fences as she brought home a second-place finish in a large class.
Once again, Minnesota Crookston’s flat riders stood out as Melton won the class for a second day in a row. Young was not far behind as she finished third, while Pini took fifth.
Schelske rocked her Intermediate Flat ride, giving the Golden Eagles yet another win for the day.
The Novice Flat riders put together strong rounds as Barlage took third, Waagen second, Coons sixth, and Cartier fifth.
Buttolph had a flawless equitation round to finish her section of Advanced Walk Trot Canter in first place. Howey was not far behind in second in the same section. Olson held her own with a fourth-place finish.
The Beginner Walk Trot Canter riders put together another great day, truly finding their confidence in their home arena. Myers took home her first “W”, while Orth had a great showing finishing a noble second.
In Walk Trot, Eichhorn was on first finishing her second-consecutive day in second-place.
“We had such a great day on Sunday,” said Head Coach Kayla Krueger. “The Golden Eagles ran away in points during Sunday’s competition, bumping us into the number two slot within the region, not far from number one. Our season on the road started out rocky, but everyone was able to rally to make up ground throughout the weekend. This team is on fire. We are determined and thirsty to take home a Regional Championship, and what better way than to make it happen in our home arena.”
The Golden Eagles wrap up the regular season at home Fri., March 1 and Sat., March 2 at UTOC, before hosting the IHSA Regional Championships Sun., March 3.
