Peaking at right time, MTSU equestrian riders build toward semifinals, nationals

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University’s equestrian teams once again shined in recent back-to-back weekend competitions held at Tennessee Miller Coliseum on Thompson Lane.

MTSU finished undefeated in the regular season and was region team champion in the Western Competition Feb. 14-16, “doing so with great success on many levels,” said coach Ariel Higgins, adding “it is a great challenge to host the competitions and compete in them as well.”

Blue Raider seniors Aidan King, left (wearing green top), of Ridgeway, S.C., and Regan Black (wearing gold and black top) of Lebanon, Tenn., compete with other collegiate riders in the Friday, Feb. 14, Western style Level I Horsemanship class held at Middle Tennessee State University’s Tennessee Miller Coliseum on Thompson Lane in Murfreesboro, Tenn., part of a three-day competition hosted by the MTSU equestrian team. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

Western style refers to the practice of western horseback riding, where students compete in various disciplines like western horsemanship, reining and ranch riding.

Western Region highlights

Ariel Herrin, director of equestrian programs and coach of the MTSU Equestrian Team in the School of Agriculture — Ariel Higgins

The Blue Raiders qualified 10 riders in the Feb. 16 regional that Higgins said was “a challenging and rewarding day, where riders from all school that earned the required points for their divisions compete for the two top spots that advance them to Western Semifinals in March.”

Marci Leath of Columbia, South Carolina, a junior animal science major, and Kenlee West of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, dominated the Open Competition, with Leath landing Champion designation in both Open Reining and Horsemanship, and West earning Reserve Champion in both events. Both advance to regional semifinals.

Junior Haley Strub of Spring Hill, Tenn., a Middle Tennessee State University horse science major and member of the Blue Raider equestrian team, takes in the action Friday, Feb. 14, on the first day of three days of Western style competition at Tennessee Miller Coliseum on Thompson Lane in Murfreesboro, Tenn. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

Leath earned Region High Point Rider, advancing to Western semifinal to try to earn a berth in the national High Point Rider in May. West finished as Reserve Champion in the Region High Point Rider competition.

The Blue Raiders earned the final High Point Team award for the regular season during the Saturday, Feb. 15, show. Leach earned High Point Rider and sophomore Faith Dady of Jerusalem, Tennessee, who is a horse science major, finished as Reserve High Point Rider.

Higgins said Dady “had an excellent ride” in the Level I Horsemanship, finishing third.

Middle Tennessee State University junior Monica Braunwalder of Lascassas, Tenn., guides her horse through the paces during the Friday, Feb. 14, Western Hunter Seat collegiate competition at Tennessee Miller Coliseum on Thompson Lane in Murfreesboro, Tenn. An animal science and biology double major, Braunwalder earned Champion status in Beginner Horsemanship and a trip to the Zone 5 Region 1 semifinals during the Feb. 15 competition. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli) — Middle Tennessee State University junior Monica Braunwalder of Lascassas, Tenn., guides her horse through the paces during the Friday, Feb. 14, Western Hunter Seat collegiate competition at Tennessee Miller Coliseum on Thompson Lane in Murfreesboro, Tenn. An animal science and biology double major, Braunwalder earned Champion status in Beginner Horsemanship and a trip to the Zone 5 Region 1 semifinals during the Feb. 15 regional competition. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

Faith Fraker finished as region champion in Rookie Horsemanship, the biggest class of the day with 12 entries. Jessica Whicker, Hannah Hyer, a junior animal science major from Murfreesboro, and Keira Wagner, junior horse science major from Columbia, placed in the top seven, strong rides by all four qualifiers, Higgins said.

Monica Braunwalder of Lascassas, a junior animal science and biology double major, earned Champion status in Beginner Horsemanship, also earning a trip to region semifinals.

The Raiders earned High Point Team during the Friday, Feb. 14, show. Senior Simone Allen earned High Point Rider, with West and Leath tying for Reserve High Point Rider. Senior Faith Fraker of Christiana, an animal science major, and Dady earned their remaining points to qualify for Western Regionals.

Senior Simone Allen of Mt. Juliet, Tenn., a Middle Tennessee State University equestrian team member and agribusiness major, earned High Point Rider status during the Friday, Feb. 14, Hunter Seat style competition held in the Tennessee Miller Coliseum on Thompson Lane in Murfreesboro, Tenn. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

Hunter Seat highlights

Blue Raider riders finished third on both days of the Feb. 8-9 Hunter Seat Show. Highlights included freshman Brooke Heffner, an animal science major from Warwick, New York, earning High Point Rider on Feb. 9 and junior horse science major Jessica Whicker of Mt. Juliet qualifying for the Hunter Seat Regionals.

On deck

The MTSU equestrian team will travel to Black Hawk College in Galva, Illinois, March 14-16, hoping to earn a top four spot in the team and individual competitions and defend their back-to-back Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association national championships in May.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)