Two members of North Dakota State University’s equestrian team will advance to national competition in May.

Kelly O’Connell, a senior from Green Bay, Wis., will compete as the high-point rider for Zone 7, Region 3, at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) national show in Lexington, Ky., May 5-8.

Senior Shannon Voges of Courtland, Minn., will compete as an individual in advanced horsemanship at the national event.

Voges finished third in advanced horsemanship in the IHSA’s semifinal show in Findlay, Ohio, March 25-27, earning her a trip to the national competition.

O’Connell placed eighth in individual open horsemanship and 10th in individual open reining in the semifinals. She was named the Zone 7, Region 3, American Quarter Horse Association Cup Rider in post-season regional competition at the University of Minnesota-Crookston in early March, which qualifies her to compete in Lexington.

A third member of the team, Juliann Zach, a sophomore from Rosholt, S.D., received an honorable mention in intermediate horsemanship at the semifinals.

The top four riders in each division from three semifinal competitions qualify for the national event.

“Only 12 people per individual division and 24 high-point riders qualify for the national show, so to have two people representing NDSU is a great accomplishment,” says Tara Swanson, the team’s coach.

“As a coach, it is great to have team members like these three who are willing to put in the time and work to be successful,” she adds. “They were up against tough competition and really showed their talent at semifinals.”

NDSU Agriculture Communication - April 26, 2011