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MSU IHSA Equestrian Team does well in fall shows
December 16, 2002 -- from MSU News Service
BOZEMAN -- The Montana State University's Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Equestrian Team did well through the fall semester with the help of volunteer coach Andrea Andres of Three Forks. With horses and facilities provided by the Four Dot Equine Station of Belgrade, the team has been practicing twice weekly for the three competitions held at host schools during the fall semester. With six colleges and universities in this IHSA region, the number of students showing is growing. MSU’s team has grown from around ten riders last year to about two dozen this year.
The first show of the season was at Utah State University in Logan in October. Twenty riders attended from MSU alone. It was the first time for several new riders to enjoy the thrill and apprehension of the luck of the draw, as riders randomly drew a mount for their classes. MSU's Jason Uffelman of Hardin immediately took a second place ribbon in his first Open Reining performance ever and a third place in Open Western Equitation. Uffelman also brought home a Reserve High Point Rider award for his efforts that day. With placings only running first through sixth and large classes, MSU riders did a great job of winning ribbons in nearly every class. Beginner rider, Shad Lemke of Wausau, WI earned a fourth and a fifth place ribbon at his first IHSA show.
"While this was an excellent start to the year, it also showed the new riders what fun it can be to show an unknown horse to best of their ability and what they needed to work on next," said Andres.
The second show was held at the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls where the team earned even higher awards. Uffelman again took home a second place in Open Reining and rode even better in Open Western Equitation to earn a first. He also won the High-Point Rider award.
Beginner rider and new member, Lindsey Mulcare of Helena had great rides in her classes earning second and third place ribbons. While Lemke showed the most improvement with two first place ribbons in his Beginner Equitation classes.
The last show of this semester was held in November at the University of Montana in Missoula. This show was the first of the year for the eight MSU team members who participated in Hunt Seat Equitation on the flat and over fences. The entire team was excited when the MSU riders placed in the top three in nearly every class they entered. Jessie McCarty of Bozeman and Sara Stickel of Kalispell did so well that they each brought home both Reserve High Point and High Point Rider ribbons! McCarty took five blue ribbons out of eight classes. New member, Ann Gury of Boulder, CO did a beautiful job in her classes as well, earning a first in two Intermediate Equitation Over Fences classes, plus second and third place ribbons in her Open Equitation on the Flat classes.
"With one semester down and one to go, we are certainly looking for great things next semester from this blossoming team," said Andres.
University of Montana at Missoula will sponsor the first show of the spring semester on Feb. 16, which will be a Hunt Seat only show. University of Montana - Western in Dillon will sponsor the second show of the semester Feb. 22 as a Western Equitation only show. MSU will follow in March with Hunt Seat and Western Equitation shows at the Four Dot Equine Station.
Until then, the show team invites the public to watch practices Monday and Friday nights at the Four Dot Equine Station in Belgrade from 6-8 p.m. There is a break in practices over Christmas, but they begin again Friday Jan. 17.
The team would also like to encourage donations of horses for use in practice and school-sponsored shows. Anyone who would be willing to simply loan their show horse for either English or western classes during the show March 1-2 should let Andres know. For more information contact Andres at (406) 285-6770 or email her at ZimaKlear@aol.com.
Contact: Andrea Andres (406) 285-6770
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