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MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – For the first time in school history, the Middle Tennessee State University equestrian team took home the Western National Championship trophy at the 2023 Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association National Championship.
Held earlier in May at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, five Blue Raider riders qualified as a western team, and four riders qualified individually by placing top four in the semifinals earlier in the spring. Warren native Audrey Ferrie, a junior business administration major, was part of the western team.
In a down-to-the-wire finish, MTSU edged St. Andrews University and Midway College by one point after MTSU’s Jordan Martin placed second in Team Open Horsemanship, the last team class of the day.
“They came together and exhibited poise, consistency, and humble gratitude under an immense amount of pressure,” said Ariel Higgins, head coach and director of the equestrian programs. “They were inspiring to watch. They cheered each other on, took fabulous care of the six horses we brought, and had fun every step of the way.”
Junior horse science major Sadio Barnes of Miami, Florida, said “All of the long hours and early practices led up to this moment. I am so thankful to be coached by two incredible people, Ariel Higgins, and (assistant coach) Andrea Rego.”
Ferrie placed fourth in the Team Level 2 Horsemanship and third in the Team Ranch Riding.
Notable achievements included a team beginner class national championship and team open class reserve national championship by Barnes and Martin, a junior horse science major from Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Martin received top honors in the Back on Track High Point Western Rider competition, with a field of 20 riders nationwide qualifying for this special event in their regions by competing successfully in both the open reining and horsemanship. Fifth overall in 2022, Martin placed second overall this year, making her the reserve national champion.
In addition to qualifying riders, MTSU hauled six horses used in the May 2-7 national competition draw format.
To learn more about the MTSU equestrian team, which is part of the horse science program in the College of Basic and Applied Sciences’ School of Agriculture, email [email protected].
Team awards
Martin was the Team Open Horsemanship reserve national champion and placed fourth in Team Open Reining.
Barnes was the national champion in Team Beginner Western Horsemanship.
Jessie Kauffman, a junior nursing major from Woodbury, Tennessee, placed fourth in the Team Rookie Horsemanship.
Mackenzie Latimer, a junior dietetics and horse science major from Millbrook, New York, placed third in the Team Level 1 Horsemanship.
Individual class awards
Martin, in addition to Back on Track Reserve Highpoint Western Rider, placed sixth in Individual Open Horsemanship.
Madison Westbrook, a senior nursing major from Murfreesboro, placed seventh in Individual Level 1 Horsemanship.
Louann Braunwalder, a junior horse science and fermentation science major from Lascassas, Tennessee, placed third in Individual Level 1 Horsemanship.
Hannah Price, a junior horse science major from Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, placed third in Individual Beginner Horsemanship.
Coaching, volunteer honors
Higgins and former coach/equestrian director Anne Brzezicki, of Murfreesboro, received special IHSA recognition. Higgins received the Coaches’ Sportsmanship Award; Brzezicki was presented the Volunteer Service Award, and she announced she was stepping down as a volunteer.
