The West Texas A&M University equestrian team traveled to Louisiana State University for a pair of regular season shows and the Hunt Seat Regional Championship.

The WT equestrian team walked away from the regional championships with the title of Reserve Region Champion Team. In addition to the team’s accomplishments, Cana Fitzgerald was crowned Region Champion Individual and Ada Berg was honored as Reserve Region Champion Individual. As a result of their successes, Fitzgerald and Berg will advance to the Zone Championship in Madison, WI on March 29.

“It’s been such a successful year not only as a team but for individuals as well,” Ada Berg, sophomore Pre-Nursing major, said. “This team is nothing but encouraging, determined and talented. Cana Fitzgerald and I feel so blessed and honored to represent WT at Zones in a couple of weeks.”

Kayla Reeves and Reilly Milbauer both placed second in Open Fences. In Intermediate Fences, Hannah Valigura placed first and Ally Thomas placed second. In Novice Fences, Hannah Ellis was third and Daniella Salaverria was fifth. The WT equestrian team was honored as the High Point Team and Milbauer was awarded for being High Point Rider.

“We’ve been so fortunate this season as far as individual and team success,” Reilly Milbauer, senior Equine Industry and Business major, said. “Not only are we succeeding in the show pen but the atmosphere out of the show pen is something so special and unique to our team. Ending the season as Reserve Champion Team is such a huge accomplishment and I’m incredibly proud of all the successes we’ve had this season.”

Sharing pride in the equestrian team’s noteworthy achievements is the team’s head coach, Amanda Love.

“I couldn’t be more proud of this team’s work ethic and performances this weekend at LSU,” Love said. “Every team member performed at the top of their game and pushed each other for greatness.”

The western division of the WT equestrian team will compete in the Western Regional Championships on March 11 at North Central Texas College in Gainesville, Texas. The WT equestrian team clenched the Western Regional Championship in 2014 and will return to defend that title.