Equestrian Team Closes Western Season Strong

Several Colby Community College western riders had a busy day on Feb. 24 at the University of Nebraska when the team finished the regular season in a morning show before six Trojans returned for regional competition that afternoon.

Representing Colby in the western regionals were Jenna Milford (open horsemanship, reining), Kirsten Miessler (level II horsemanship, ranch riding), Lily Cannon (rookie horsemanship), Jakeob Stewart (beginner horsemanship), Ashlynn Stamper (open reigning), and Nellie Kaner (level I horsemanship). Milford, Miessler, Cannon, and Stewart finished in the top two spots and advanced to the Western Semi-Finals, hosted by the University of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio, on March 23 and 24.

Milford was also the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Zone 8 Region 5 Western Region high point rider in open horsemanship and reining points. She qualified for the IHSA National Championship on May 3-5 in Mill Spring, N.C., featuring hunter seat and western disciplines.

"I'm so proud of how the students have been riding," said Head Coach Jessica Bugbee. "They've been working hard, and it shows. We had a strong showing at Western Regionals and are excited to take it to Semi-Finals."

Individual results

Feb. 24 AM

Open Reining: Ashlynn Stamper, 2^nd; Jenna Milford, 3^rd.
Open Horsemanship: Milford, 1^st; Kirsten Miessler, 4^th; Stamper, 5^th.
Level I Horsemanship, Section A: Emily Wilms, Reserve.  
Rookie B Horsemanship, Section A: Maleia Powell, Reserve.
Rookie A Horsemanship: Courtney McCullough, 1^st.
Beginner Horsemanship, Section A: Elizabeth Wright, 5^th.
Beginner Horsemanship, Section B: Nalleli Rollf, 2^nd; Jakeob Stewart, 3^rd.

Feb. 24 PM - Regionals

Open Reining: Jenna Milford, 3^rd; Ashlynn Stamper, 4^th.
Open Horsemanship: Milford, Region Champion.
Level II Ranch Riding: Miessler, Region Champion.
Level II Horsemanship: Miessler, Region Champion.
Level I Horsemanship: Lily Cannon, Reserve Region Champion; Nellie Kaner, 4^th.
Beginner Horsemanship: Jakeob Stewart, Reserve Region Champion.

Story by Jessica Bugbee