Lakeland's Regional Champion Equestrian Team Competes at State Finals

The following was submitted by Huron Valley Schools.

Michigan's top 40 equestrian teams in four divisions descended on the Midland County Fairgrounds this past weekend for four days of riding competition in the Michigan Interscholastic Horsemanship Association's State Championship. Lakeland has not been to a state championship since 1977 and the team had a great experience competing with teams from around the state.

Lakeland's Division C team, which won the Region B Championship two weeks ago, took five riders and seven horses along with Coaches Sue Raupp, Koren Knox, Carol Menard and Nicole Simmons. Attending to cheer them on were many teammates, family and friends, and even the Lakeland's Eagle Mascot. The weather in Midland was very windy which gave the riders an extra challenge as the wind created several opportunities for the horses to spook at the noise within the arenas.

The team scored a total of 177 points which helped them finish 6^th in the state. Junior Hannah Feather was the top point earner with 59 points.  She rode her Saddlebred, Harley, beautifully to take a fifth consecutive 1^st in saddleseat pattern this year, leaving her undefeated in the state.  Feather also took two 2^nd places in saddleseat equitation and a 3^rd and 4^th place in saddleseat bareback. In the speed classes, Feather rode her quarter horse TJ to earn an 8^th place in flag race and finished the meet strong with a 1^st place in the two-person relay along with Anna Tawril.

After having the horse she's ridden all season go lame, Senior Christa Carter earned 57 points on the quarter horse, Carl, whom she had very little time to train with. Carter continued her strong streak in western bareback by taking two 2^nd places. Carter took a 2^nd and 3^rd place in hunt seat fitting and showing, a 2^nd and 8^th place in western equitation, a 6^th and 7^th place in western riding, and a 10^th place in trail. 

The team was glad to have senior Jenny Saksa ride both her horses Mayan and Leo after losing Leo for a couple weeks during the season due to lameness. Saksa added 32 points to the team total by placing 3^rd and 6^th in western riding. Saska also earned a 7^th and 8^th place in both saddleseat equitation and western equitation. She also placed 6^th in saddleseat fitting and showing.

Freshman Jessica MacDonald rode her horse Big Grey in hunt seat classes. MacDonald jumped her way to a total of 19 points by earning a 2^nd and 3^rd place in hunt seat over fences. She also earned a 9^th place in hunt seat equitation. 

Junior Anna Tawril showed her Morgan, Sonny, in saddleseat and on her horse Riley, was the team speed queen by running in the Cloverleaf Race, pole bending and two-person relay with Feather. Tawril raced her way to a 6^th and 7^th plave in the Cloverleaf, 10^th plave in pole bending and worked with Feather to end the day with a 1^st place in the two-person relay. 

The Lakeland riders look forward to next season and hope to continue riding their way to championships!