Area teams advance in equestrian meet

FROM STAFF REPORTS

September 22, 2008 12:00 am

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Traverse City West, Traverse City Central, Buckley and St. Francis emerged as the big winners Saturday in the third and final District 18 equestrian meet.

The four schools won their divisions to advance to this weekend's regional.

West won Division A. For the Titans, Ryhan Nadji had 31 points (first in saddle seat bareback and in hunt seat bareback) and placed in five classes. Alisa Wilcoxen had 23 points and Allyssa Carbonnel 19.

Kinglsey's Dillion Youker recorded 12 points and Chase Williams eight (first in flag race).

Central took Division B as Alison Zachritz scored 31 points and placed in all six classes. Ali Walker added 28 points, Molly Walker 21 and Jamie Endicott 15.

Elk Rapids had Bridget Huhta with 22 points (first in western bareback) and Alyssa Reardon with 14.

Glen Lake was led by Ali Peterson with 17 points, Chelsey Phelps with 16 and Theresa Hubbell with 11 (first in hunt seat over fences).

Buckley claimed Division C, edging Forest Area 84-81. For the Bears, Kaila Buck finished with 18 points and Paige Gokey 12.

Forest Area's Katie Lynn Beavis had nine points.

Leland was led by Kaitlin Houdek's four points.

St. Francis took Division D behind Marley Martin's 59 points (first in saddle seat fitting and showing, first in saddle seat equitation, first in saddle seat pattern, first in hunt seat equitation). She placed first, second or third in all eight of her classes.

Chelsea Deisler added 58 points (first in western fitting and showing, first in hunt seat fitting and showing, first in western equitation, first in western reining and first in trail).

Kalkaska's Mindy Hill had 38 points (first in cloverleaf race, dash race and two-person relay with Tiffany Koch).

Ten teams and 59 registered riders competed.

The top two teams from the region advance to states.