CONTRIBUTED

The St. Andrews Western Equestrian team captured the reserve championship in one of three weekend national Semi-final competitions. The finish qualifies St. Andrews for the national championship in Murfreesboro, Tenn., in late April.

"We had a tough Semifinal," said Carla Wennberg, coach of the St. Andrews Western Team. "Oregon State University and Black Hawk University are very competitive teams and we were right between them."

Last year, St. Andrews won its Semifinal competition on its home turf at the St. Andrews Equestrian Center.

"It's much harder to go away and compete," Wennberg said. "There are so many elements that come into play."

In addition to being one of nine teams that qualified for the nationals, four riders finished in the top four of their individual events. This qualified them for the national finals in the individual competition.

Kayla Hay led the St. Andrews equestrians by finishing first in both her individual class and her team class. She qualified for the nationals in Novice Horsemanship.

Also qualifying for the nationals as individuals were Kelsey Moody in Reining, Jessica Gesel in Beginner Walk Jog, and Kody Zaagman in Open Horsemanship.

In addition to Hay, the other team members contributing points were Megan Stiles, Kimmy Simonsen, Kelsey Moody, and Shannon Leggett.

Oregon State won the Semifinal event hosted by Morehead State University in Morehead, Ky. Black Hawk finished third.

It will be the third appearance for the St. Andrews Western Team in the nationals. The program is in its fourth year as a competitive team, winning the regional title for all four years. Last year, the team finished fourth in the nation.