Travis Kriens

The South Dakota State equestrian team hosted Minnesota-Crookston on March 22 at the DeHann Equestrian Center and defeated the Golden Eagles 10-7.

In the English competition, equitation over fences and equitation on the flat each tied at two apiece with the Jacks winning 583-569 in total points. Ashley Marrin earned MVP honors with 76 points in equitation over fences and a competition-high 83 points in equitation on the flat.

On the Western side, the Jacks won 6-3. They tied Crookston with 360 total points in horsemanship, but gained a 3-2 advantage in head-to-head competition.

Associate head coach Joe Humphrey thought that Kaylee Mundwiler put in another outstanding horsemanship performance, winning 77-75 and defeating Crookston MVP Amanda Peterson. The senior finished the season with a 5-1 mark.

SDSU took reining 3-1 with Lydia Placzek earning MVP honors with a score of 75.5. The junior finished the season 6-0 with two MVPs. She was ranked in the top five in reining before this competition and according to Humphrey, it should only solidify her chances for an individual invitation to the Varsity Championships.

Also in reining, Angela Gebhart had a really strong run, posting a 76.5.

“This should be a really good prep for her leading to the IHSA Western semifinals this weekend, where she qualified in open reining,” Humphrey said.

The IHSA Western semifinals are this Saturday in Pomona, Calif.

The English riders get back in action April 10 with the IHSA Hunt Seat Zone finals in DeKalb, Ill