Western win to begin semester

(By Samantha Scholting) The western season started with multiple wins for the Colby Community College equestrian team Feb. 2-3 in Lincoln, Neb. at a show hosted by the University of Nebraska Lincoln.

"We had two shows on Saturday and ended both as high point team," said Head Coach Shanda Mattix. "I've discussed before the mental challenge of two shows in one day and riding another school's horses.  Our riders brought their best and rode strong in two competitions.  The 12-point lead in show 1 really carried the energy into show 2 for another successful win. Our team is leading the region in points. We've got our work cut out for us to carry this into this weekend and were ready for the challenge."

Class winners included Madisyn Haggard, Lauren Hubele, Emma Jolley, Amber Graber, Merriah Bockmann, and Bailey Bixenman.

Lauren Hubele was recognized as the high point rider for show 1 and reserve high point rider for show 2.

February 15-16 the Trojans will be in Laramie, Wyo., for two shows and then ride for regionals.

Individual results for Saturday, Feb. 2:

Show 1
Reining – Lauren Hubele, second.
Open Horsemanship – Lauren Hubele, first.
Advanced Horsemanship – Amber Graber, first; Adrianne Schaunaman, fifth.
Novice Horsemanship – Merriah Bockmann, first; Bailey Bixenman, seventh.
Intermediate 2 Horsemanship – Madisyn Haggard, first; Emma Jolley, first; Shayla Lowry, second; Jo Hummermeier, fifth.
Intermediate 1 Horsemanship – Dakota Hopson- Johnson, fourth; Shyanne Jones, fifth.
Beginner Horsemanship – Cassandra Wolff, second; Rachel Keltz, third; Rachel Hurla, DNP.

Show 2
Reining – Lauren Hubele, first.
Open Horsemanship – Lauren Hubele, fifth.
Advanced Horsemanship – Amber Graber, fourth, Adrianne Schaunaman, fifth.
Novice Horsemanship – Bailey Bixenman, first; Merriah Bockmann, second.
Intermediate 2 Horsemanship – Nichole Patry, second; Abby Caswell, third; Abby Schmeiser, fourth; Jo Hummermeier, fifth.
Intermediate 1 Horsemanship – Shyanne Jones, second; Dakota Hopson- Johnson, fourth.
Beginner Horsemanship – Rachel Keltz, second; Rachel Hurla, DNP; Cassandra Wolff, DNP.