NDSU Western Equestrian Team earns overall high-point team title for the season
North Dakota State University’s Western equestrian team finished the regular competitive season at home by winning the high-point team award.
Nicole Anderson, an NDSU rider and freshman from Fergus Falls, Minn., also won the high-point rider competition at the event held Feb. 21 at the NDSU Equine Center.
NDSU won the overall high-point team title for 2014-2015 season, meaning it scored the most team points for the year in the region. This win earns the team a chance to compete in team competition at semifinals in Ohio on March 21-22.
NDSU riders who will be representing the team are:
-Janna Rice, a senior from Maddock, reining
-Nicole Anderson, a freshman from Fergus Falls, Minn., open horsemanship
-Hannah Bucheger, a junior from Andover, Minn., advanced horsemanship
-Blaine Novak, a senior from Fordville, novice horsemanship
-Courtney Bolstad, a junior from Fergus Falls, intermediate horsemanship
-Allee Lee, a sophomore from Lino Lakes, Minn., beginner horsemanship
NDSU also will have four individuals who earned a spot to compete in the individual class competitions at semifinals. These riders earned their spots by placing first or second in regional competition Feb. 22 at NDSU. The riders are:
-Anderson, reining
-Rice, open horsemanship
-Angie Norwig, a sophomore from Hampton, Minn., intermediate horsemanship
-Brogan Novak, a freshman from Fordville, beginner horsemanship
Anderson won the overall high-point rider title for the region at the Feb. 21-22 competition. This title earns her the opportunity to compete at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association’s National Horse Show in Massachusetts at the beginning of May.
“The team this year has a strong group of seniors who have led by example and pushed each team member to be their best,” says Tara Swanson, the team’s coach. “There is a good mix of returning team member leadership and ability with fresh new talent and enthusiasm, which has resulted in a well-rounded, very competitive team.” She added that she is extremely excited to head into postseason competition.
“We have a strong group of riders moving on to represent NDSU at semifinals competition,” she says.
–NDSU
