State Press
By Troy Lopez March 27, 2012 at 6:23 pm ASU’s Western Equestrian team is a relatively new member of the club sports organization, but in its fourth year of existence, it captured the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Zone 8, Region 2 high point western team award.
The team scored 238 points and narrowly edged 2011 regional champion Cal Poly Pomona, which scored 233 points to win the award. The win marked the first time the ASU team has grabbed a regional title.
ASU also had riders receive individual recognition after the event. Graduate student Krista McNaughton walked away with the Zone 8, Region 2 American Quarter Horse Association high point rider title and will be attending IHSA Nationals.
“The team this year has been amazing,” McNaughton said in a news release. “We had riders winning at every level and the high point team. I’m thrilled to go to nationals one last time before I graduate, especially for the (American Quarter Horse Association) cup.”
Junior Heidi Helton competed in individual competition as well in the advanced division of the semi-nationals.
“What makes this achievement even more spectacular is the team operates on a very limited budget with most of the funding coming out of their own pockets,” coach Bob Leary said in a news release. “Even with their hectic schedules, they still take the time as a team to help organizations like the Rett Syndrome (Foundation), Luv Shack, a horse rescue center, and volunteer help for some of the great causes provided by the Arabian Horse Association of Arizona.”
The win sent the Western Equestrian team to the semi-nationals in Findlay, Ohio, where they competed over the weekend. ASU joined seven other schools in its attempt to snatch one of three spots for nationals, but after two tough days of competition, the team was not able to qualify for the championships.
The young program finished in the top 25 of 370 schools across the nation. The finish shows the program’s progress and its ability to keep up with the top Western equestrian teams in the country.
“The University of Findlay, the host school, is a varsity program and a school that offers a major in Western equestrian studies,” sophomore Kelsey Roderique said. “To compete with something like that is great.”
Helton gave a great effort over the weekend in her individual division and finished in the top 12, but was not able to qualify for nationals.
McNaughton will represent the school in Raleigh, N.C., at the 2012 IHSA National Championships in early May.
Reach the reporter at talopez3@asu.edu
The team scored 238 points and narrowly edged 2011 regional champion Cal Poly Pomona, which scored 233 points to win the award. The win marked the first time the ASU team has grabbed a regional title.
ASU also had riders receive individual recognition after the event. Graduate student Krista McNaughton walked away with the Zone 8, Region 2 American Quarter Horse Association high point rider title and will be attending IHSA Nationals.
“The team this year has been amazing,” McNaughton said in a news release. “We had riders winning at every level and the high point team. I’m thrilled to go to nationals one last time before I graduate, especially for the (American Quarter Horse Association) cup.”
Junior Heidi Helton competed in individual competition as well in the advanced division of the semi-nationals.
“What makes this achievement even more spectacular is the team operates on a very limited budget with most of the funding coming out of their own pockets,” coach Bob Leary said in a news release. “Even with their hectic schedules, they still take the time as a team to help organizations like the Rett Syndrome (Foundation), Luv Shack, a horse rescue center, and volunteer help for some of the great causes provided by the Arabian Horse Association of Arizona.”
The win sent the Western Equestrian team to the semi-nationals in Findlay, Ohio, where they competed over the weekend. ASU joined seven other schools in its attempt to snatch one of three spots for nationals, but after two tough days of competition, the team was not able to qualify for the championships.
The young program finished in the top 25 of 370 schools across the nation. The finish shows the program’s progress and its ability to keep up with the top Western equestrian teams in the country.
“The University of Findlay, the host school, is a varsity program and a school that offers a major in Western equestrian studies,” sophomore Kelsey Roderique said. “To compete with something like that is great.”
Helton gave a great effort over the weekend in her individual division and finished in the top 12, but was not able to qualify for nationals.
McNaughton will represent the school in Raleigh, N.C., at the 2012 IHSA National Championships in early May.
Reach the reporter at talopez3@asu.edu
