MANHATTAN, Kan. Valerie Dysart picked up two first place finishes and an advance to regional competition to lead the Kansas State equestrian team on Saturday at the IHSA Western shows at Fox Creek Farm. The Wildcats tied with Black Hawk College for High Point Team in the morning with 28 points, but received Reserve High Point Team behind Black Hawk in the afternoon show.  

Four Wildcats picked up wins in both the morning and afternoon shows to lead K-State. Senior Alden Haugh performed well as she took home first place in Advanced Horsemanship for both the morning and afternoon shows. Dysart placed first in both of her events as well by winning the Intermediate Horsemanship category for the morning show and Novice Horsemanship for the afternoon.

Win the wins, Dysart qualified for regional’s next weekend in Springfield, Mo., at Missouri State University in hopes of advancing to IHSA national competition at the Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Haugh will look to follow in Dysart’s footsteps next weekend as she needs a third place finish or higher at the show on Saturday in order to advance to the Regional show on Sunday.

“Valerie Dysart was outstanding today,” said Casie Williamson, Western head coach. “She just stands out among the other riders in her division and takes ownership in her performances. I couldn’t be prouder of her for finishing her collegiate career with a season that qualified her for Regional’s and hopefully further. I am confident the Alden will be right behind her next weekend.”

“Today was a great day for our western riders,” said Williamson. “These girls have worked hard all season to prepare themselves, and today they got to demonstrate their hard work. Everyone rode to par and with outstanding confidence. The atmosphere at the show was very positive and encouraging with 50 riders in the stands cheering them on.”

Freshman Alayna Warner picked up her first two wins in IHSA competition as a Wildcat by taking home first place in the reining category while freshman Rebecca Wallisch won horsemanship for both shows. Junior Dana Johnson also gave K-State of boost of confidence as she took home the crown for both shows in reining competition. 

Also picking up first place finishes for the Wildcats in the morning show were junior Kyla Copple in Open Horsemanship and freshman Jennifer Keefe in Advanced Horsemanship. For the afternoon show, junior Nicole Keenan picked up a victory in Advanced Horsemanship.

Senior Hayley Milch, junior Alise Dykstra, sophomore Erica Mackiewicz, and freshman Tiana Shelton rode with confidence as well and brought home top-four finishes for their respective divisions.

Kansas State will host South Dakota State at their next show on Sunday, March 8. It is scheduled to kick-off at 10 a.m. at Fox Creek Farm.

Morning show results are as follows:

Class 1 Reining (16) Section A:

1^st- Alayna Warner

Class 2 Alumni Reining:

No Kansas State Riders

Class 3 Reining (16) Section B:

1^st-Dana Johnson

Class 4 Alumni Horsemanship:

No Kansas State Riders

Class 5 Open Horsemanship (15) Section A:

1^st-Kyla Copple

2^nd-Alise Dykstra

Class 6 Intermediate II Horsemanship (12b) Section A:

No Kansas State Riders

Class 7 Advanced Horsemanship (14) Section A:

1^st-Alden Haugh

2^nd-Nicole Allen

4^th-Erica Mackiewicz

Class 8 Intermediate II Horsemanship (12b) Section B:

No Kansas State Riders

Class 9 Open Horsemanship (15) Section B:

 1^st-Rebecca Wallisch

3^rd-Tiana Shelton

Class 10 Intermediate II Horsemanship (12b) Section C:

No Kansas State Riders

Class 11 Advanced Horsemanship (14) Section B:

1^st-Jennifer Keefe

2^nd-Hayley Milch

3^rd-Nicole Keenan

Class 12 Intermediate II Horsemanship (12b) Section D:

1^st-Valerie Dysart

Class 13 Novice Horsemanship (13) Section A:

No Kansas State Riders

Class 14 Beginner Horsemanship (11) Section A:

No Kansas State Riders

Class 15 Intermediate I Horsemanship (12a):

No Kansas State Riders

Class 16 Novice Horsemanship (13) Section B:

No Kansas State Riders

Class 17 Beginner Horsemanship (11) Section B:

No Kansas State Riders

Afternoon show results are as follows:

Class 1 Alumni Reining:

No Kansas State Riders

Class 2 Intermediate II Horsemanship (12b) Section A:

No Kansas State Riders

Class 3 Beginner Horsemanship (11) Section A:

No Kansas State Riders

Class 4 Intermediate II Horsemanship (12b) Section B:

No Kansas State Riders

Class 5 Alumni Horsemanship:

No Kansas State Riders

Class 6 Beginner Horsemanship (11) Section B:

No Kansas State Riders

Class 7 Intermediate II Horsemanship (12b) Section C:

No Kansas State Riders

Class 8 Novice Horsemanship (13) Section A:

No Kansas State Riders

Class 9 Advanced Horsemanship (14) Section A:

1^st- Nicole Keenan

2^nd-Jennifer Keefe

4^th- Erica Mackiewicz

Class 10 Intermediate II Horsemanship (12b) Section D:

No Kansas State Riders

Class 11 Open Horsemanship (15) Section A:

1^st- Rebecca Wallisch

2^nd-Kyla Copple

Class 12 Intermediate I Horsemanship (12a):

No Kansas State Riders

Class 13 Advanced Horsemanship (14) Section B:

1^st- Alden Haugh

2^nd-Hayley Milch

3^rd-Nicole Allen

Class 14 Novice Horsemanship (13) Section B:

1^st-Valerie Dysart

Class 15 Open Horsemanship (15) Section B:

2^nd-Alise Dykstra

3^rd-Tiana Shelton

Class 16 Reining (16) Section A:

1^st-Dana Johnson

Class 17 Reining (16) Section B:

1^st-Alayna Warner

          -kstatesports.com-