North Dakota State University Intercollegiate Horse Show Association team member Katie Beaudine placed eighth in national competition in West Springfield, Mass., earlier this month.

She competed against 17 other riders from throughout the U.S. in the individual walk-trot class of the hunt seat show.

To compete in the national event, competitors must qualify for regional competition by gaining enough points at regional shows. The top two competitors at the regional event go on to zone competition, where the top two advance to nationals.

Beaudine, a senior majoring in Equine Studies, was named champion in the Western regional show in Brookings. S.D. She was champion in the hunt seat division at the regional competition in Crookston, Minn., and reserve champion in zone competition in Elgin, Ill. She also placed sixth in semifinal Western competition in Pomona, Calif.

""It takes a lot of hard work, dedication and determination to make it to the national level of competition,"" says Tara Swanson, NDSU's Intercollegiate Horse Show Association team coach. ""It is a huge honor just to be asked to attend nationals, not to mention be in the top 10. There has only been one other NDSU student who made it to the national competition, so Katie represented NDSU well and I am very proud of her."

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