North Dakota State University’s Western equestrian team finished the regular competitive season at home by winning the high-point team award.

Nicole Anderson, an NDSU rider and freshman from Fergus Falls, Minn., also won the high-point rider competition at the event held Feb. 21 at the NDSU Equine Center.

NDSU won the overall high-point team title for 2014-2015 season, meaning it scored the most team points for the year in the region. This win earns the team a chance to compete in team competition at semifinals in Ohio on March 21-22.

NDSU riders who will be representing the team are:

• Janna Rice, a senior from Maddock, reining
• Nicole Anderson, a freshman from Fergus Falls, Minn., open horsemanship
• Hannah Bucheger, a junior from Andover, Minn., advanced horsemanship
• Blaine Novak, a senior from Fordville, novice horsemanship
• Courtney Bolstad, a junior from Fergus Falls, intermediate horsemanship
• Allee Lee, a sophomore from Lino Lakes, Minn., beginner horsemanship

NDSU also will have four individuals who earned a spot to compete in the individual class competitions at semifinals. These riders earned their spots by placing first or second in regional competition Feb. 22 at NDSU. The riders are:

• Anderson, reining
• Rice, open horsemanship
• Angie Norwig, a sophomore from Hampton, Minn., intermediate horsemanship
• Brogan Novak, a freshman from Fordville, beginner horsemanship

Anderson won the overall high-point rider title for the region at the Feb. 21-22 competition. This title earns her the opportunity to compete at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association’s National Horse Show in Massachusetts at the beginning of May.

“The team this year has a strong group of seniors who have led by example and pushed each team member to be their best,” says Tara Swanson, the team’s coach. “There is a good mix of returning team member leadership and ability with fresh new talent and enthusiasm, which has resulted in a well-rounded, very competitive team.” She added that she is extremely excited to head into postseason competition.

“We have a strong group of riders moving on to represent NDSU at semifinals competition,” she says.

NDSU Agriculture Communication - March 4, 2015