Redhawks Fly Home

While MU students soaked up the sun, relaxed, and rejuvenated during last week’s spring break, the equestrian staff was hard at work moving in to our new home.  After several trailer loads of tack, jumps, desks, brushes, blankets, buckets, supplies, equipment, and yes, even horses, we are finally moved in.

The red barn doors have been opened, and the aisles fill with hanging halters, lead ropes and coolers.

The tack rooms are filled with saddles, bridles, brush boxes and helmets, and the the scent of leather mixed with saddle soap wafts through the air.

The horses are settling in nicely to their new spacious accommodations.

Last week, the Rec staff toured the new barn.  Check out their Facebook page for the pictures: http://www.facebook.com/MiamiRec

Lessons for the team resume this week and KNH sprint classes begin.  Let’s break in that new ring!

MUET Dressage Team on Fire, Western and Hunt Riders Earn Individual Honors

Its seems like nothing can stop MUET’s dressage team!  They demonstrated yet again this weekend that they are a force to be reckoned with.  They traveled to Midway College in  Kentucky on Saturday, determined to continue their season of success.  The team showed strength in all levels, and team spirit was evident throughout the day with MU riders cheering for their teammates.

Kelly Herdman earned a score of 60 in her First Level test, placing 7th.  In the Upper Training level, Liesel Pfleger placed second with a score of 70.71.  Erika Anderson rode a beautiful Lower Training level test, and with a score of 65.83, and tied for first place.  Bre Lukan earned a score of 68.44 and placed third in the Intro.  MU rider Christine Debrosse rode a Lower Training level test, filling in for Bethany College’s rider.  She placed 7th with a score of 58.54.

Miami’s team came in first overall for the second time in a row.  Their final show of the season will take place at home on April 13-14, giving the Redhawks home field advantage.  Congratulations on a fantastic show!

Sunday marked a big day for Miami hunt seat and western riders who earned enough points during the regular season to qualify for Regionals.  The Regional show was held at Ohio State, with the western riders competing in the morning and the hunt seat riders in the afternoon.  Only the top two riders in each division move on to the western Semifinals and the hunt seat Zone competitions.   This was the largest Regionals for the hunt seat in quite some time with over 80 rides occurring throughout the day.  MUET riders helped keep the show running smoothly by assisting OSU in holding horses and setting jump courses.

All MUET riders rode well throughout the day, demonstrating their dedication and hard work throughout the year.  Western riders Steven Lakin and Leah Moore qualified in the Open and Advanced Horsemanship division respectively.  They will be moving on to ride in the Semifinal competition in Syracuse, New York on March 22-24.  Several hunt seat riders will also continue to the next leg of competition.  Miami swept the Open division both on the flat and over fences.  Kitty Sarosy qualified in both while Kelsey Kleinert qualified over fences and Jamie Donovan qualified on the flat.  In the Intermediate division, Jackie Yeager will be representing MUET at Zones over fences and Jenna Samuels on the flat.  These riders will travel to West Virginia University for the Zone competition on April 6.  Congratulations and good luck!

About the Author

Dear avid Miami equestrian blog reader,

I have been writing these blog posts for the last few weeks, but I don’t think we have officially met.  Allow me to introduce myself.  My name is Jenn Gunther.  I have been working for Miami equestrian for the past five years, but my experience with Miami extends even longer.  I knew that Miami was where I wanted to go to college the day I came for my first visit.  As we came into campus from state route 73, I glanced out the passenger window, took one look at the equestrian center and thought, “yep, I could spend the next four years here.”  While I would like to say that I came to Miami for the amazing programs, great professor, history of academic excellence, even the tasty dining hall food (seriously, I still eat at a dining hall for lunch whenever I can) I know that the real reason has four legs and a tail.

I began riding horses when I was about 10 years old.  I took lessons and went to open shows.  I eventually convinced my parents to let me get a horse when I was 12.  He was an American Paint Horse named Roger.

The best part about my time as a student was riding on the western equestrian team.  I loved the challenge of riding so many different horses and the intensity of taking a brand new horse into the show ring each time.  More than that, I loved the people I met through riding on the team.  I met great coaches, awesome teammates that are still close friends.  I even met the man I would marry (yes, I am officially a Miami merger).

Other than the horses, I was drawn to Miami because it was one of only a few schools that offered a Creative Writing major.  It wasn’t until after I graduated that I had the epiphany of, “Creative Writing?  What the heck do I do with that?” So I waited tables.  One day, I received a phone call from Beth Akers asking if I would like to work for her teaching KNH classes while she was out in the fall for maternity leave.  I had no experience teaching, but I knew this was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up.  I learned that I loved teaching, and even went back to school and earned a Master of Arts in Teaching degree.  What was supposed to be a temporary position turned into a job that I look forward to going to every day.

Thank you for your continued support of Miami equestrian and all the positive comments and encouragement for our program.  We couldn’t do what we do without our friends.

A Weekend of Redhawk Pride

A huge congratulations is in order for both the western and hunt seat teams on a fantastic weekend.  Both teams traveled toward Columbus for the last respective shows of the regular season.

The hunt seat team ventured to Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio for a show Saturday and Sunday.  The Redhwaks proved that they were ready to to end the season with a bang.  A sea of blue ribbons were awarded to Miami riders throughout the day, with cries of “MU…ET!” resonating throughout the stands.  They earned high point team honors with a staggering 40 points, 12 points more than the second place team.  Taylor Myers earned High Point Rider for the day and Chelsea Campbell earned Reserve High Point Rider.

Saturday also marked a day of celebration for the seniors throughout the region.  A presentation honored all the IHSA senior riders, awarding each with a good luck horseshoe key chain and a rose.  Miami hunt seat has 14 seniors that will be graduating this year.  They will be greatly missed.

The Redhawks came into Sunday knowing what they had to do, and started the day strong.  Many riders found success in the ring, including one of the walk trotters, Emma Marcum.  She captured her very first blue ribbon, riding a Paint Horse named Ted.  The team finished in third place for the day.  Miami’s hunt seat team came in Reserve Champion Team for the season, with only 5 points between them and the Champion team.  Additionally, Miami holds both the High Point Rider, Kitty Sarosy, and the Reserve High Point Rider, Chelsea Campbell for the region.  Kitty will represent our region in the Cacchione Cup at Nationals.

MUET would like to thank the support of many parents who made the trip up to Westerville for the weekend.  They kept the team and coaches well fed, providing a spread fit for a king both Saturday and Sunday.

The western team traveled to Ohio State University on Sunday with the team mascot, Mickey the Motivational Monkey, in tow.  Though the weather was frigid, Mickey kept team spirits up throughout the day, rallying the troops with his wonderful singing skills.

The Redhawks came on strong, earning Reserve High Point Team honors during both the morning and afternoon shows.  Freshman, Megan Krug made her debut in the arena.  She showed strength and poise, earning second place.

The western team demonstrated depth in all divisions as cries of “MU…ET!” echoed throughout the day.  Among the soaring Redhawks were Steven Lakin, Katie Reed, Allie Graves, Karen Faller, and Megan Perry.  Steven earned Reserve High Point Rider both shows and finished Reserve High Point Rider of the season for the region.

During the intermission between shows, all the senior riders from the region were recognized.  Miami’s western team will miss its six graduating seniors.

Throughout the course of the year, 27 Miami hunt seat riders and 9 western team riders qualified for Regionals.  These riders will compete this weekend at the Ohio State University for Regional Finals.  Congratulations and good luck to the following riders!

Hunt Seat

Open Fences: Chelsea Campbell, Kelsey Kleinert, Kitty Sarosy

Open Flat: Chelsea Campbell, Jamie Donovan, Kelsey Kleinert, Kitty Sarosy, Jackie Yeagar

Intermediate Fences: Jackie Yeagar

Intermediate Flat: Allison Drost, Hillary Oberpeul, Jenna Samuels, Emma Whitaker

Novice Fences: Katie Jordan, Maddie Macleod, Hillary Oberpeul, Jenna Samuels, Kelsey Williamson

Novice Flat: Emily Krull, Maria Lee, Gabby Lichtig, Maddie Macleod, Taylor Myers, Alyssa Peterson, Jessi Thorne, Emily Wright

Walk Trot Canter: Megan Chadwick, Danielle Paulson, Maggie Sacolick, Tom Schoen, Hannah Shoulvin

Walk Trot: Ellen Quigley

Western

Open Horsemanship: Steven Lakin

Advanced Horsemanship: Leah Moore, Katie Reed, Andy Shear

Novice Horsemanship: Jaime List, Dana Rossman

Intermediate Horsemanship: Allie Graves, Kayla Kuhlman, Megan Perry