Equestrian
Team
The Husker Equestrian Team is a group of approximately fifty students who practice and compete together within Zone 8, Region 5 of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). IHSA was established with the purpose of promoting competition for riders of all skill level regardless of financial status. Equestrian Team members develop sportsmanship, team spirit, and horsemanship through IHSA competitions.
- Announcements
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Show Schedule and Upcoming Events
- Championship Tradition/Awards
- Team Officers
- Donations
- Team Rosters
Announcements
- "Check our Show Schedule & Upcoming Events for horse show dates and other team events!"
- "Cassidy Chase is our new Fundraising Chair. Contact Cassidy at (11.casslynn@gmail.com) with your fundraising questions."
- Want to advertise your business with the team? Contact Cassidy to place an ad in our horse show programs."
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are there tryouts for the team?
- Yes! UNL competes in both Western and Hunt Seat divisions of IHSA! Most students will ride in one discipline or the other, but a few riders will show in both. You must try out for each team separately.
- What if I have never ridden before?
- IHSA Western competitions have six divisions: Beginner, Intermediate I, Intermediate II, Novice, Advanced and Open (Rail and Reining). Because of this, each year members of all experience levels join the team. The division you begin competing in is based on the number of years and type of riding experience you have. Points are then accumulated throughout the year, and riders can then "point up" to the next division.
- For the Hunt Seat competitions, there are eight divisions: Walk/Trot, Beginning Walk/Trot/Canter, Walk/Trot/Canter, Novice on the Flat, Novice over Fences, Intermediate on the Flat, Intermediate over Fences, Open on the Flat, and Open on the Fences.
- Can I choose between riding English or Western?
- Yes! As of the 2009-2010 season, UNL now has both Western and Hunt Seat teams! Although they are separate teams, many students ride on both. You must try out for each team separately.
- How much does it cost to be a member of the Equestrian Team?
- There is a cost because we are a club team. The price varies slightly each year, but is affordable. The team dues pay for entry fees, team clothing, charter buses and many other team expenses. In addition, each member is responsible for a certain amout of fundraising each semester. There are opportunities provided to reach the fundraising goals.
- How often and where does the Equestrian Team practice?
- The UNL Equestrian team practices once a week, in two different riding groups. Each group rides for an hour and a half.
- The barn is located on East Campus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
- What horse will I ride when practicing and competing?
- According to IHSA rules, riders do not compete with their own horses. Therefore, at all practices and competitions you will be riding university horses. UNL currently owns about 20 horses. These are the horses used in practice.
- During horse shows, the college hosting the show provides the horses. You draw the name of a horse the morning of the competition, and then will ride that horse in the show. No warm-ups are allowed, so the first time riding the horse is when you are being judged.
- How do riders qualify for Regionals(Western & Hunt Seat), Zones (Hunt Seat), Semi-Finals(Western), and Nationals(Western & Hunt Seat)?
- Riders accumulate points at the various shows throughout the year. These points are assigned based on places in a class. After 36 points, the rider "points up" to the next division. By pointing up to the next level, the rider qualifies for Regionals.
- At Regionals, the top two riders from each class qualify for Zones or Semi-Finals. Then, at Zones or Semi-Finals the top two riders from each class compete at Nationals. All three of theses shows (Regionals, Zones, Semi-Finals, and Nationals) take place at the end of the spring semester.
Show Schedule and Upcoming Events
IHSA Zone 8 Region 5 Show Schedule 2023-2024
**SUBJECT TO CHANGE**
Championship Tradition/Awards
2021-2022
2018-2019
Regionals
Hunt Seat:
Regional Champion IHSA Team
Individual Competitors/Qualifiers:
Libby Pollock – Open Fences – Reserve Champion
Libby Pollock – Open Flat – Champion
Libby Pollock – High Point Regional Rider
Claire Aden – Intermediate Fences – Champion
Jessica Glas – Intermediate Fences – 3rd Place
Alex Pace – Novice Fences – 4th Place
Madeline Neuhaus – Novice Flat – Champion
Emma Tichy – Walk/Trot/Canter – 6th Place
Mechaela Gates – Walk/Trot/Canter - Finalist
Western:
Regional Champion IHSA Team
Individual Competitors/Qualifiers:
Cassidy Curtis – Open Reining – Reserve Champion
Matthew Graves – Open Reining – 3rd Place
Matthew Graves – Open Horsemanship – Champion
Cassidy Curtis – Open Horsemanship – 3rd Place
Cassidy Curtis – High Point Regional Rider
Matthew Graves – Reserve High Point Regional Rider
J’Nan Wittler – Advanced Horsemanship - Champion
Lauren Downs – Advanced Horsemanship - Reserve Champion
Sierra Nelson – Novice Horsemanship - Reserve Champion
Madeline Misfeldt – Intermediate Horsemanship – 4th Place
Audrey Heusinger - Intermediate Horsemanship – 6th Place
Joeli Walrath – Intermediate Horsemanship - Reserve
Briahnna Hultgren – Beginner Horsemanship - Reserve Champion
Zones:
Regional Champion IHSA Team
Team Classes/Competitors:
University of Nebraska-Lincoln - 4th Place
Open Fences – Libby Pollock – 4th Place
Open Flat – Libby Pollock – 2nd Place
Intermediate Fences – Ibby Rodgers – 3rd Place
Intermediate Flat – Claire Aden – 2nd Place
Novice Fences – Chloe Suarez – Competitor
Novice Flat – Emme Woodrome – 4th Place
Walk/Trot/Canter – Lauryn Riepma – 3rd Place
Walk/Trot – Hope Blomenberg – 4th Place
Individual Classes/Competitors:
Open Fences – Libby Pollock – 7th Place
Open Flat – Libby Pollock - Reserve Champion
Intermediate Fences – Jess Glas – Champion
Intermediate Fences – Claire Aden – 5th Place
Novice Flat – Madeline Neuhaus – 6th Place
Semi-Finals
Team Classes/Competitors:
University of Nebraska – Lincoln – 3rd Place
Beginner Horsemanship – Mariah Heiss – 4th Place
Intermediate Horsemanship – Ryan Sedlacek – 2nd Place
Novice Horsemanship – Megan Pokorny – 7th Place
Advanced Horsemanship – Emily Downs – 2nd Place
Open Horsemanship – Cassidy Curtis – 3rd Place
Open Reining – Matthew Graves – 4th Place
Individual Classes/Competitors:
Open Reining – Cassidy Curtis –
Open Horsemanship – Matthew Graves – Champion
Advanced Horsemanship - J’Nan Wittler – 6th Place
Advanced Horsemanship – Lauren downs –
Novice Horsemanship – Sierra Nelson – Champion
Nationals:
Individual Open Flat – Libby Pollock – 6th Place
Individual Intermediate Fences – Jessica Glas – Competitor
2017-2018
2016-2017
2017 IHSA Nationals 4th Overall Western Team
SEMI-FINALS
WESTERN
Semi-FinalsReserve Champion IHSA Semi-Finals
Team AQHA Classes
Open Reining- Selena Finn 3rd place
Open Horsemanship-Selena Finn 1st
Advanced Horsemanship- J'Nan Whittler 2nd
Novice Horsemanship- Anna Heusinger 3rd
Intermediate Horsemanship- Sierra Nelson 1st
Beginner Horsemanship- Maddy Misfeldt 3rd
Individual Classes
Open Horsemanship- Selena Finn 2nd
Novice Horsemanship- J'Nan Whittler 2nd
Beginner Horsemanship- Shelbi Sisson 2nd
NATIONALS
WESTERN
Nationals
Team Results
Western Team 4th overall
Open Reining- Selena Finn 2nd
Open Horsemanship- Selena Finn 7th
Advanced Horsemanship- J'Nan Whittler 7th
Novice Horsemanship- Anna Heusinger 2nd
Intermediate Horsemanship- Sierra Nelson 6th
Beginner Horsemanship- Maddy Misfeldt 3rd
Individual Results
AQHA Highpoint Rider- Selena Finn 7th
Beginner Horsemanship- Shelbi Sisson 8th
Open Horsemanship- Selena Finn 6th
HUNTZones
Novice Fences- Claire Aden 2nd
Novice Fences- Jessica Glass 3rd
2015-2016
2016 IHSA Nationals Reserve Champion Western Team
SEMI-FINALS
WESTERN
Semi-Finals
2016 IHSA Semi- Finals Reserve Champion Team
Semi-Final Team Classes
Open Reining- Selena Finn 2nd
Advanced Horsemanship- Cassidy Curtis 4th
Novice Horsemanship- J’Nan Wittler 4th
Intermediate Horsemanship- Sierra Nelson Maddy Misfeldt 7th
Semi- Final Individual Classes
Open Reining- Selena Finn 2nd
Open Horsemanship- Selena Finn 5th
Advanced Horsemanship- Bailey Peterson 2nd
Intermediate Horsemanship- Melissa Bruan 3rd
Novice Horsemanship- Taylor Duncan 7th
NATIONALS
WESTERN
2016 IHSA National Reserve Champion Team
Team Classes
Open Reining- Selena Finn 1st
Open Horsemanship- Selena Finn 4th
Advanced Horsemanship- Cassidy Curtis 5th
Novice Horsemanship- J’Nan Wittler 5th
Intermediate Horsemanship- Sierra Nelson 4th
Beginner Horsemanship- Maddy Misfeldt 9th
Individual Classes
Advanced Horsemanship- Bailey Peterson 1st
Intermediate Horsemanship- Melissa Braun 5th
HUNT
Sydney Kinsler Open Flat Qualifier
2014-2015
2015 IHSA Nationals 5th Place Western Team
2015 IHSA Individual Hunt Seat Zone Qualifiers
Western:
- IHSA Zone 8 Region 5 High Point Western Team
- 5th Place Western team at IHSA Nationals
- 3rd place Western Team at Semi-Nationals
- Region High Point Western Rider: Selena Finn
- AQHA High Point Rider at Nationals: Selena Finn
- Individual Semi-National Qualifiers: Mauri Wilhelm (walk/trot), Mackenzie Schneekloth (Intermediate), Nikki Novak (advanced)
- Individual National Qualifiers: Mackenzie Schneekloth (Intermediate)
Hunt:
- Individual Regional Qualifiers: Megan Mumaugh (walk/trot), Alex Rommelfanger (novice flat), Jordan Perez (novice fences), Melissa Braun (Intermediate fences), Quinn Leslie (open fences)
- Individual Zone Qualifiers: Megan Mumaugh (walk/trot), Alex Rommelfanger (novice flat), Jordan Perez (novice fences), Melissa Braun (Intermediate fences), Quinn Leslie (open fences)
2013-2014
2014 IHSA Nationals 4th Place Western Team
Western:
- IHSA Zone 8 Region 5 High Point Western Team
- 4th place Western team at IHSA Nationals
- 3rd place Western team at Semi-Nationals
- Region High Point Western Rider: Katrina Quick
- Region Reserve High Point Western Rider: Dustin Renken
- Individual Semi-National Qualifiers: Sarah Warner (Walk-Trot), Ethan Callahan(Intermediate), Blake Preston (Novice), Katrina Quick (Open Rail and Reining), Dustin Renken (Open Rail), and Kallie Kayton (Open Reining)
Individual National Qualifiers: Sarah Warner (Walk-Trot)
Hunt:
- 5 Individual Regional Hunt Seat Regional Qualifiers
- Individual Hunt Seat Zone Qualifier: Brittany Tisthammer (Advanced Walk Trot Canter) and Heidi Black (Walk Trot)
2012-2013
2013 IHSA Nationals 4th Place Western Team
Western:
- IHSA Zone 8, Region 5 High Point Western Team
- 5th place Western Team at IHSA National
- 1st place Western Team at Semi-Nationals
- Region High Point Western Rider: Katrina Quick
- Individual Semi-National Qualifers: Morgan Mardock (Open Rail), Linsey Bode (Advanced Horsemanship), Dustin Renken (Advanced Horsemanship), and Blake Preston (Novice Horsemanship)
- Individual National Qualifiers: Morgan Mardock (9th place Open Horsemanship) and Dustin Renken (3rd place Advanced Western Horsemanship)
- 6th place AQHA High Point Western Rider at Nationals - Katrina Quick
Hunt:
- 4 Individual Regional Hunt Seat Qualifiers
- Individual Hunt Seat Zone Qualifier: Nicole D'Angelo (3rd place Intermediate Equitation on the Flat) and Emily Waring (5th place Walk-Trot)
PAST
2011-2012
2012 IHSA Nationals 3rd Place Western Team
Western:
- IHSA Zone 8, Region 5 High Point Western Team
- 3rd place western team at IHSA Nationals
- 1st place western team at Semi-Nationals
- Region High Point Western Rider: Hali Jorgenson
- Individual Semi-National Qualifiers: Hali Jorgenson (Open reining and rail), Brandon Essink (Advanced), Katrina Quick (Advanced), Dustin Renken (Novice), Cara Peters (Intermediate), and Katie Higgins (Walk-trot)
- Individual National Qualifiers: Dustin Renken (1st place Novice Wesern Horsemanship) and Brandon Essink (8th place Advanced Western Horsemanship)
- 7th place AQHA High Point Western Rider at Nationals - Hali Jorgenson
Hunt:
- 3 Individual Regional Hunt Seat Qualifiers
- Individual Hunt Seat Zone Qualifer: Katherine Kurth
2010-2011
2011 IHSA Nationals 6th Place Western Team
Western:
- IHSA Zone 7, Region 1 High Point Western Team
- 6th place western team at IHSA Nationals
- 3rd place western team at Semi-Nationals
- Region High Point Western Rider: Kelsey Horner
- Region Reserve High Point Western Rider: Samantha Cajka
- Individual Semi-National Qualifiers: Brooke Preston (Intermediate), Brandon Essink (Novice), Katrina Quick (Novice) and Kelsey Horner (Open Rail and Reining)
- Individual National Qualifiers: Brooke Preston – 3rd Individual Intermediate Horsemanship, Katrina Quick – 3rd Individual Novice Horsemanship, Kelsey Horner – 7th Individual Open Reining.
- 12th place AQHA Western Rider at Nationals – Kelsey Horner
Hunt:
- 3rd place IHSA Zone 7, Region 1 Hunt Team
- 7 Individual Regional Hunt Qualifiers
- Individual Hunt Seat Zone Qualifier: Lynsey Whitacre (Open Fences)
- Individual National Qualifier: Lynsey Whitacre (Open Fences)
2009-2010
2010 IHSA Nationals 8th Place Western Team
- 8th place western team at IHSA Nationals
- IHSA Zone 7, Region 1 High Point Western Team
- Region High Point Western Rider- Kimberly Corradi
- Region Reserve High Point Western Rider- Mindy Leach
- Individual Semi-National Qualifiers in Western: Paige Moser (Beginner), Amanda Schardt (Intermediate), Hali Jorgensen (Novice), Samanth Cajka (Advanced), Kelsey Horner (Advanced, Reining), Kimberly Corradi (Open Rail, Reining)
- Placed 2nd as a team at IHSA Western Semi-National Show
- Individual National Qualifiers: Kelsey Horner – 3rd Individual Advanced Horsemanship, Kimberly Corradi – Individual Open Rail
- 6th place AQHA Western Rider at Nationals – Kimberly Corradi
2008-2009
- IHSA Zone 7, Region 1 High Point team
- Individual Semi-National Qualifiers: Gwyneth Talley-Beginner, Lindsey Horner and Kim Corradi- Advanced, Megan Boone and Mindy Leach- Open Reining, Megan Boone and Alicia Wittwer- Open rail
- Region High Point Rider- Mindy Leach
- Region Reserve High Point Rider- Megan Boone
- Placed 4th as a team at IHSA Semi-National Show
2007-2008
- IHSA Zone 9, Region 3 High Point team
- Placed 5th as a team at IHSA Semi-National Show
- 3 Individual Semi-National qualifiers
2006-2007
- IHSA Zone 9, Region 3 High Point Team
2005-2006
2005-2006 Zone 8, Region 5 Regional Champions
- IHSA Zone 9, Region 3 High Point Team
- Erin Peery: IHSA National Open Horsemanship Champion
- Alicia Wittwer: Zone 9, Region 3 High Point Rider
- 3 Individual National Qualifiers in 2006
Team Officers 2023-24
| Postion | Name | |
|---|---|---|
| President | Annalise Lampereur | alampereur2@huskers.unl.edu |
| Vice President | Emily Jonas | ejonas3@huskers.unl.edu |
| Secretary | Alyssa Morgan | amorgan11@huskers.unl.edu |
| Treasurer | Christen Curtis | ccurtis8@huskers.unl.edu |
| Fundraising Coordinator | Laurene Tomka | ltomka2@huskers.unl.edu |
| Western Team Captain | Izzi Velinsky | ivelinsky2@huskers.unl.edu |
| Hunt Team Captain | Ava Nelson | anelson122@huskers.unl.edu |
| Hunt Team Public Relations Chair | Delrone Mukusha | dmukusha4@huskers.unl.edu |
| Western Public Relations Chair | Tabby Cassidy | tcassidy5@unl.edu |
For more information please contact the team adviser, Dr. Lena Luck at lena.luck@unl.edu or the team coach, Lori Jaixen at ljaixen2@unl.edu
Donations
The University of Nebraska - Lincoln relies on the donations of tack, horses, and equipment. Without the generous support of donors, the UNL Equestrian Team and other animal science activities would not be able to operate with such success.
Please contact Lena Luck (lena.luck@unl.edu) with any questions regarding the donation of money, horses, tack, or equipment to the team.
UNL Horse Shows
The UNL Equestrian Team hosts a horse show once every spring and fall semester. Approximately 30 horses are needed (in addition to the University's horses) for the one day show to run well. If you would like to lend your horse(s) for the day, please contact Lena Luck or the Team Vice-President for more information.
2021-2022 Equestrian Team Roster
|
|
|
|---|---|
| English | Western |
| Abby Hunter | Ally Twohig |
| Ainslie Suyko | Alyssa Morgan |
| Angelique Fuentes | Ashley Blakely |
| Anna Lampereur | Ashley Greenhalgh |
| Ashley Zugmier | Ashley Kroese |
| Avery Wagoner | Caileigh Tripe |
| Becca Cain | Cassidy Chase |
| Dani Koch | Emily Jonas |
| Emily Orum | Emily Burnside |
| Hope Blomenberg | Emma Vazquez |
| Ibby Rodgers | Hadley Olson |
| Katherine Prochnow | Gabrielle Kissell |
| Katrina Sell | Gracie O'Dell |
| Katrina Segalla | Maria Eubanks |
| Kelly Litwitz | Megan Pokorny |
| Kerry McFadden | Sarah Dilley |
| Laurene Tompka | Sarah Eberspacher |
| Lauryn Riepma | Shelby Serritella |
| Lexis Hennings | Susan Venteicher |
| Lyla Zornie | Tabitha Cassidy |
| Maddy Casey | Taylor Pivonka |
| Mickey Grasmick | Taylor Dynek |
| Sally Jindra | |
| Sammy Bannister | |
| Saskia Lanwermann | |
| Shelby Glass | |
| Stephanie Yerigan | |
| Sydney Asbury | |
| Veronic Cifarelli |
