KEWANEE, Ill. -- The Kansas State western equestrian team went into this weekend in second place in its region, trailing Black Hawk College by 11 points. Following Saturday’s show, the Cats remained in second, coming away with 25 points in the final show of the regular season behind Black Hawk’s 27 points.

“I was really proud of team, we tried to make-up points which we lost at our home show, but still ended the regular season strong,” head coach Lindsay Breidenthal said.

Although the team didn’t place first in its region and they won’t be taking a team to Nationals in Murfreesboro, Tenn., May 7-9, they will still be able to qualify individual riders at their zone competition.

Highlighting Saturday’s show, K-State had four first-place finishers, including Brandi Vogel in open reining, Nicole Ruff in open horsemanship, Michelle Schneider in intermediate II horsemanship section 2 and Lauren Allen in novice horsemanship.

Macie Ayers also contributed to the Cats’ efforts, placing second in intermediate II horsemanship section 1, while Megan Felts earned a fourth place finish in advanced horsemanship. Schneider, Ayers and Felts earned enough points in Saturday’s show to compete in the Region 2 western show on Sunday.

The regional show also took place in Kewanee, Ill. at Black Hawk College. K-State riders competed against the seven other region 2 riders who had earned at least 35 individual points in the regular season.

Erin Peery earned High-Point Rider honors at the regional show by placing second in open reining and third in open horsemanship. With the High-Point Rider title, Peery automatically qualifies for Nationals in those events.

Vogel brought home two first-place finishes for the Cats in both open reining and open horsemanship, while Ruff finished fourth in open horsemanship. In intermediate horsemanship, Rachel Pierson earned a second-place ribbon, while Andrea Wosel and Lauren Allen took fifth and sixth, respectively.

The K-State riders owned advanced horsemanship as they captured places second through sixth. Riders included Bev Wilson, Dehlia Burdan, Megan Hemberger, Kristin Tanney and Heather Zsamba, respectively.

By finishing in the top-two places at Sunday’s regionals, K-State was able to qualify four riders for the Western Zone Show. Riders included Peery, Pierson, Vogel and Wilson.

The western team will ride next on April 3 at the Western Zone Show at Fox Creek Stables in Manhattan, Kan.

K-StateSports Women's Equestrian

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