Two NDSU students came home with titles following the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association championships May 1-4 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
According to Greg Lardy, professor and head of animal sciences, Hailey Aagard, a senior double majoring in equine and animal sciences from Wadena, Minnesota, is the association’s national champion in beginner western horsemanship and Janna Rice, a senior double majoring in equine science and animal sciences from Maddock, North Dakota, is the reserve national champion in advanced western horsemanship.
“I’m happy to report that our students were very successful at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association championships,” Lardy said. “Please join me in congratulating these individuals on their recent success.”
The students are coached by Tara Swanson, lecturer of animal sciences. “As a coach, I couldn’t be more proud of Janna and Hailey. They have been working hard all year in preparation for the opportunity to compete at nationals.” Swanson said. “Each of them rode with poise, confidence, determination and skill, which resulted in a very positive outcome. They did an outstanding job of representing Bison Equestrian at the national level.”
The Intercollegiate Horse Show Association has more than 8,300 student participants at more than 370 colleges and universities across the United States and Canada. It features eight levels of hunter seat riding and six levels of western riding.
Earlier, the NDSU team finished its regular show season as the Zone 7 Region 3 reserve high-point team.
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.