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Dear St. Andrews,

Thank you.

Running My Fastest 400 meters

Thank you for all the experiences and memories you have given me. Coming in as a freshman, I was nervous and scared to be away from home. Little did I know, St. Andrews University would become my new home. My freshman advisor, Dr. Bushoven, was very welcoming and helped me figure out what classes would best fit me. I have always been somewhat of an introvert and, because I am quiet, the thought of being in a new classroom with people I did not know was somewhat intimidating.  Quickly I found the small class setting St. Andrews had to offer really made me comfortable with professors and students.  I quickly began to see the community St. Andrews had. Continue reading “Dear St. Andrews,”

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Alumni Spotlight: Connor Smith “A Passion for IHSA Leads to a Career”

by Beth Ann Tate

L to R: Coach Carla Wennberg, Equestrian Program Director Peggy McElveen, Connor Smith, Assistant Coach Lindsey Trokenbrot.

Conner Smith is a 2018 graduate of St. Andrews University with a degree in Business Administration: Specialized Program of Study in Equine Business Management believes a passion for IHSA led to a career in the Quarter Horse industry. During his time at St. Andrews Conner was a part of the IHSA Varsity Western Team as well as the riding council president for the 2017-2018 school year. Conner became a student at St. Andrews in 2014 and joined the western team as an Intermediate level rider. During his first year Conner showed at many of the regular season shows but did not qualify as a regional rider.

During his Sophomore year Conner pointed out of intermediate during the first regular season horse show, which qualified him for Regionals. He then began to show advanced and continued to Semi-finals and Nationals as the intermediate individual and advanced team rider. Conner placed third at Nationals in the team advanced.

Continue reading “Alumni Spotlight: Connor Smith “A Passion for IHSA Leads to a Career””

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Two Qualify for IDA National Championships

By Jackie Dwelle

St. Andrews Dressage Team at Averett University
St. Andrews Dressage Team, Regional Reserve Champions at Averett University

Senior Isabelle Duckett and Freshman Elizabeth Donaldson will be representing St. Andrews at the Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA) National Championships at Lake Erie College in Ohio April 26 – 28, 2019. Duckett won the region at the Lower Training Level with 21 points. Team mate and fellow Senior Hannah Sutton was Reserve Champion with 19 points.

Continue reading “Two Qualify for IDA National Championships”
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St. Andrews Equestrian – Not Just Competition

By Kaylynn Sherry

Senior Day at Horse Show
Senior Day for Kaylynn Sherry (“19) with friends/teammates Sam Gallo & Sydney Eller

As a Senior who has been part of St. Andrews Varsity Hunter Seat team for all four years of my college career, I have noticed many positive factors of being part of this program. When I first joined the team as a freshman, I was rather nervous. Coming in as a young rider and joining a team of mainly juniors and seniors who were competing extremely well was rather nerve racking. That being said, horse show nerves were a big deal for me. I came into the team with a lot of horse showing experience, but being part of a team where points count not only towards you individually, but also your team was a big deal and a lot of pressure. Competition can be a very stressful, nerve racking, and a scary event for many riders, but being part of the St. Andrews Hunter Seat team has shown me that competing does not have to be stressful, it can be fun and positive experience.

Continue reading “St. Andrews Equestrian – Not Just Competition”
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St. Andrews Western Wins IHSA Region

The St. Andrews IHSA Western Team held on to their regional lead Saturday to win the Region and advance to Semi-Finals at Utah State, March 16-17. On Sunday Sarah Beth Felker and Annie Owen both qualified for Semi-Finals in the Open Horsemanship division. As High Point Rider for the year Gina Ulveie advances to IHSA Nationals in May to represent the region.

IHSA Regional Champions

Overall Year End Team Placings
St. Andrews University 219
Liberty University 162
Virginia Tech 194
North Carolina State 175
Martin Community College 142
Appalachian State 42

Continue reading “St. Andrews Western Wins IHSA Region”

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IDA Team & Riders Excel at Averett

Senior Isabelle Duckett and Sophomore Caroline Johnson shut out riders from other schools on Sunday by winning High Point and Reserve High Point Rider respectively with scores of 71.154% and 67.931%. The St. Andrews dressage team finished the day with 16 points to win the blue ribbon, beating the host school by one point.

High Point & Reserve High Point“We had a great day,” said Coach Jackie Dwelle, “the weather was wet and cold, but the riders rode with grit and determination and demonstrated a high level of feel for their horses. I was very pleased with all of my riders.”

 

Continue reading “IDA Team & Riders Excel at Averett”

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St. Andrews Equestrian Home IHSA Show

UNC-Chapel Hill continues to dominate IHSA Hunter Seat this spring beating the Knights by 3 points on Saturday. “All our students rode well,” said Head IHSA Coach Ashley Duda. “UNC riders have more experience than most of our team and it shows! I was very pleased with how everyone rode today. Each rider represented themselves well and I was proud of the team today.”

Following Saturday’s show UNC-Chapel Hill leads the region by 7 points.

President Reagan
President Reagan

Overall Team Points

UNC-Chapel Hill                         230
St. Andrews University                223
Duke University                          195
NC State University                    192
East Carolina University              191
UNC-Charlotte                           130
UNC-Wilmington                        118
Elon University                             79

 

 

Continue reading “St. Andrews Equestrian Home IHSA Show”