Ļć½¶Ö±²„

MSUā€™s Equestrian Team saddles up for national finals

Contact: Carson McFatridge

STARKVILLE, Miss.ā€”For the first time in program history, the Ļć½¶Ö±²„ Western Equestrian Team is bound for nationals. The team is set to compete in the IntercollegiateĀ HorseĀ ShowsĀ Association (IHSA) National Finals held May 1-3 at Tryon International in Mill Spring, North Carolina. Ā 

Ashley Glenn, Ļć½¶Ö±²„Equestrian Team head coach, said while individual riders from Ļć½¶Ö±²„have competed at nationals in the past, this is a first for the team. Ā 

ā€œItā€™s the determination of our riders that defines our team,ā€ said Glenn, also facilities supervisor of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Stationā€™s Equine Unit. ā€œWithin IHSA, not every rider has to be an expert. We have students whoā€™ve never had a formal lesson and others who have ridden horses their entire lives. This allows the team members to learn from one another, create a support system and build a strong bond within the team.ā€

Natalie Ruha, a senior criminology major from Alabaster, Alabama, has been around horses since childhood. Guided by her grandmotherā€”a professional horse trainerā€”and her mother, she began showing ponies at just a few years old. When she entered college, she couldnā€™t imagine her life without horses, leading her to join the team where she has competed for four years and now serves as team captain.

To advance as a team, Ļć½¶Ö±²„needed a top four finish at the IHSA semifinals, held March 21ā€“22 at Murray State University in Kentucky, a goal Ruha said was driven not by individual ambition, but by a shared commitment to one another.

ā€œWe delivered some of the strongest rides of our careers,ā€ Ruha said. ā€œWe stepped up not just to qualify as a team, but to make sure our teammates had the opportunity to compete on that national stage.ā€

At competition, each rider begins with an unfamiliar horse, randomly assigned a steed at the venue. Students compete at different levels, from beginner to open. The events showcase the ridersā€™ ability to navigate the horse through complex patterns and maneuvers.

The team is funded by fundraisers and donations. Those interested in supporting the team can contribute through the Ļć½¶Ö±²„Foundation at .

The following students will compete:

ALABASTER, Alabamaā€”Natalie Ruha, criminology senior, High Point Rider competition, Individual Open Horsemanship, Team Open Horsemanship

CLANTON, Alabamaā€”Carrie Brigham, agricultural engineering technology and business freshman, Team Level 2 Horsemanship

FILLMORE, Utahā€”Lillie Reid, animal and dairy sciences senior, Team Rookie Horsemanship

FLORENCEā€”Wren Algee, psychology junior, Individual Level 2 Horsemanship

MADISON, Alabamaā€”Sarah Broyles, animal and dairy sciences junior, Team Beginner Horsemanship

MADISONVILLE, Louisianaā€”Hayley Pettus, animal and dairy sciences junior, Individual Beginner Horsemanship

MORRISTON, Floridaā€”Breana Souders, animal and dairy sciences senior, Team Ranch Riding

NASHVILLE, Tennesseeā€”Olivia Trotter, psychology senior, Individual Rookie Horsemanship

PELL CITY, Alabamaā€”Chloe Joiner, animal and dairy sciences sophomore, Team Level 1 Horsemanship

WALNUT GROVEā€”Makenzie Moore, veterinary medical technology junior, Team Reining

To learn more about the equestrian team, visit .

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