Minnesota Crookston Equestrian Adds Four in 2021 Recruiting Class

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CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston equestrian program announced the signing of four student-athletes for their 2021 class. The Golden Eagles signed Keira Boedigheimer (Colorado Springs, Colo./Lewis-Palmer H.S.), Clara Lemarr (Sleepy Eye, Minn./Minnesota Valley Lutheran H.S.), Josie Mills (Brandon, S.D./Brandon Valley H.S.), and Belle Sand (Spicer, Minn./New London-Spicer H.S.).

“The Golden Eagles will be one to watch for the 2021-22 season as we continue our success within the IHSA and get our foot back in the door playing NCEA,” stated Head Coach Kayla Hanson. “The incoming class is strong, diverse, and eager. Our 2021 recruits will be strong additions to an already well rounded group of equestrian women” 

Minnesota Crookston is looking to build on their repeated successes at both the IHSA and NCEA levels. UMN Crookston’s hunt seat team has claimed two-straight IHSA Regional Championships. They were headed to the IHSA Zone 7 Championships prior to the halting of the 2019-20 season due to COVID-19. The Golden Eagle western team has also been successful. UMN Crookston qualified four riders for the IHSA Semi-finals in 2019-20 prior to the cancellation of the season. The four new riders help Hanson and the squad continue to move forward and be one of the leaders at the IHSA level and makes the program even more competitive as they try to get back into NCEA competition.

The student-athletes listed as having signed a National Letter of Intent or Offer of Admission to compete in equestrian at the University of Minnesota Crookston have been verified by the Minnesota Crookston compliance office once they sign the National Letter of Intent or once the student-athlete has accepted an Offer of Admission for Minnesota Crookston.

Keira Boedigheimer (Colorado Springs, Colo./Lewis-Palmer H.S.)

Kiera Boedigheimer

She is the daughter of Jodie and Dan Boedigheimer. Boedigheimer plans to major in equine business management. She was born Dec. 22, 2002. Her mother Jodie (Miller) Boedigheimer played softball at Bethany Lutheran.

“Keira will be joining the Hunt Seat team representing both flat and fences,” Hanson said. “Hailing from Colorado, Keira brings an exceptional and confident skill set with a wealth of experience competing jumpers as well as an extensive IEA record, I have no doubt she will thrive in the equitation ring.”

Clara Lemarr

Clara Lemarr (Sleepy Eye, Minn./Minnesota Valley Lutheran H.S.)

Lemarr earned the IEA Sportsmanship Award. She was High Point Rider in Zone 6. In addition, Lemarr was a National IEA Qualifier. She was also a United States Hunter Jumper Association National Qualifier. Lemarr is also a Zone 6 IEA Youth Board Member. She also earned the Young Rider Award.

She is the daughter of Candi Lemarr. Lemarr plans to major in equine science. She was born July 25, 2002. Her cousin Ryan Hauth was a student-athlete at Bridgewater College in Bridgewater, Va.

“Clara will be joining the Hunt Seat team representing both flat and fences,” Hanson stated. “Clara comes to us as a well-rounded Hunter Seat rider previously competing USEF and IEA, a motivated and driven athlete excited to be starting her career with the Golden Eagles next fall”

Josie Mills (Brandon, S.D./Brandon Valley H.S.)

She is the daughter of Melanie and Jay Mills. Mills was born Feb. 10, 2003.

Josie Mills

She plans to major in health management at UMN Crookston.

“Josie will be joining the Hunt Seat team representing flat and working her way to fences,” Hanson said. “Josie comes to us with a strong foundation in Hunter Seat Flat, Fences, and Dressage. I look forward to seeing her adapt to the style of collegiate riding, a future competitor for sure”

Belle Sand (Spicer, Minn./New London-Spicer H.S.)

Sand was the 2019 Minnesota State Horse Show Western Pleasure Champion for 4H. In addition, she was the 2019 Minnesota State Horse

Belle Sand

Show English Pleasure Champion and the Showmanship Champion for 4H. Sand also was the 2018 Minnesota State Horse Show Showmanship Champion and the 2017 Minnesota State Horse Show English Pleasure Champion.

She is the daughter of Karl and Sara Sand. Sand plans to major in animal and equine science. She was born July 15, 2003. Her cousin Jennifer Lax runs cross country and plays women’s basketball for the Golden Eagles. She started riding horses when she was four years old and immediately had a passion for the animal and the sport. She has ridden and shown both Arabians and quarter horses. The competition of the sport pushes her to be the best competitor she can be.

“Belle will be joining the Horsemanship team,” Hanson said. “As a well-rounded equestrian, Belle’s confidence and overall ability to adapt to any horse will take her far in her intercollegiate career.”