USU’s equestrian team takes first place at region

USU’s intercollegiate equestrian team took first place in a region show Sunday after competing against other teams from Utah, Idaho and Montana.

Coach Rebecca Lewis said their placement didn’t come as much of a surprise considering they have won the last three years.

“It was expected. We weren’t terribly surprised,” she said.

Lewis said riders are judged on horsemanship and reining. She said horsemanship includes how well one rides a horse and their form. Reining involves doing a series of maneuvers like spins and lead changes.

Aside from the team placing first as a whole, USU, the only university with a team in the state, also had two individual qualifiers for the semifinals. Sophomore Alanah Owens placed for a walk jog. Sammy Shields qualified for advance horsemanship.

Owens said she was pleased with the results of the competition, for herself and the team.

“I feel really good. I could have had a better ride, but I’ve been doing better, and I just wanted to qualify,” Owens said. “I think the team has been doing amazing. We’ve been doing very well and I think we’ll continue to do well.”

After their win, the team will be going on to compete in semifinals in Texas, March 29 and 30.

Nationals are held in May, and Lewis said she believes the team will make it.

“I am expecting to definitely continue to Nationals in semifinals,” she said. “That is our goal and what we are shooting for, but I don’t want to put the cart before the horse.”

The team’s captain, Brooke Allen, senior majoring in elementary education, said she also thinks the team will do well at Nationals. She said they have been close in past years, so she is expecting to do well.

“I think we have a really good chance of making it to Nationals,” she said.

-arie.k@aggiemail.usu.edu