Colorado University Athletics

CU Equestrian Secures Region One High Point

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 By Stephanie Kupper (CU Equestrian)

 

            After a tiring five-hundred mile drive, the University of Colorado Equestrian Team reached Omaha, NE ready to show on horses provided by the University of Nebraska, Omaha at the Elkhorn Equestrian Center.

            Saturday March 7th, CU had a good day of riding, with riders Hannah Nichols and Alissa Long winning in Novice Flat and Maria Lawson winning blue in Advanced W/T/C. CU ended up in a three-way tie for Reserve High Point Team. 

            On Sunday  March 8th, a determined CU rode their hardest and won High Point Team. Audrey TobinGÇÖs big win in Open Fences and Stephanie KupperGÇÖs blue in Open Flat  helped push CU to the top.  More blue-ribbon winning rides came from Lauren Kendle in Intermediate Flat, Alissa Long in both Novice Fences and Novice Flat, and Maria Lawson in AWTC.  Also, great rides over the weekend from Sarah Vicksman, Ashleigh Valdez, Amy Boncella, Ellen Whalen, Jessica Steiner, Jackie Mains, Andi Fieger, and Anna Bohlin. 

            CU riders were at the top of their game in Omaha as we closed the gap in team points, leaving the University of Colorado and Colorado College in a tie for Region 1 High Point Team.  This meant that the point rider show to come on March 14th would determine Zone 7, Region 1GÇÖs High Point Team.

 

            Friday March 13th, the CU Team drove to Colorado SpringsGÇÖ MM Ranch to help set up and warm up horses for the following dayGÇÖs morning horse show and afternoon  Regional competition.  CU had great Fences rounds with a win by Audrey Tobin in Open.  Later, on the flat were great rides from Ellen Whalen and Alissa Long and three more blues from Audrey Tobin in Open, Ashleigh Valdez in Walk/Trot, and Lauren Kendle in Intermediate. 

            After the morning show, Lanae Koons announced that the University of Colorado will represent Region 1 at the Zone 7 show in Cheyenne, WY and compete head-to-head with Region 2GÇÖs West Texas A&M.  As well, CUGÇÖs own Audrey Tobin will represent Region 1 at Nationals in the Cacchione Cup.

            Saturday aftenoon, Regionals began with three Fences classes.  After a few great rounds, the show continued with some extremely competitive and challenging Flat classes.  After a long dayGÇÖs work, the victorious CU Equestrian Team packed up our things, loaded up the trailer, and headed home for some well-deserved rest.

           

            The University of Colorado is now proud to present Zone Individual qualifiers:

 

Audrey Tobin - Open Fences, Open Flat

Stephanie Kupper - Intermediate Fences, Intermediate Flat

Lauren Kendle - Intermediate Flat

Jordan Olmsted - Novice Flat

Lindsey Pope - Novice Flat

Ashleigh Valdez - Walk/Trot

 

            Thanks to Lanae Koons and each Region 1 school for making this show season a great success!  And a special thanks to our amazing coach Jill Pelzel for getting us here!