Photo: UW-River Falls IHSA Western Show Team. Front: Coach Janie Huot. Back row: Jackie Bucher-Thayer, Kendyl Bennett, Kaycee Hatch, Erica Kolstad, Co-Captain Autumn Kappers, Co-Captain Danielle Paulson, Sydni Loose, Jessica Oldroyd, Rachel Shamro, Jennifer Lorenz, and Sammy Abrahamson

IHSA Western Show Team named regional champions

March 9, 2018 - Finishing 48 points in the lead after the final regular season show on February 17, the University of Wisconsin-River Falls IHSA (Intercollegiate Horse Show Association) Western Show Team was named 2017-18 Zone 7 Region 3 Team Champions.

The UW-River Falls team competed against eight other teams from the Midwest over the course of the 2017-18 season.

As team champions, one rider from each level will go on to compete in the semi-final competition in New York March 17-18. Individuals who were grand champion or reserve champion riders in their division will also advance. Students and categories representing UW-River Falls at the semi-finals are:

• Open Reining – Danielle Paulson (animal science major from Pine Island, Minn.)
• Open Horsemanship – Autumn Kappers (animal science major from Spring Valley, Minn.), Danielle Paulson (animal science major from Pine Island, Minn.)
• Advanced Horsemanship – Jackie Bucher-Thayer (agricultural business major from Ridgeland), Jennifer Lorenz (agricultural business major from Onalaska), Rachel Shamro (agricultural business major from Hayward)
• Novice Horsemanship – Sydni Loose (animal science major from Cedar Grove), Kaycee Hatch (animal science major from Racine)
• Intermediate Horsemanship – Kendyl Bennett (accounting major from Preston, Minn.), Erica Kolstad (animal science major from Elk River, Minn.
• Beginner Horsemanship – Sammy Abrahamson (agricultural education major from Minneapolis), Jessica Oldroyd (psychology major from River Falls)

For more information, email Coach Janie Huot at janie.huot@uwrf.edu or call 715-425-3523.