The University of Findlay Western equestrian team came from behind on the final day of competition to win the 2009 Intercollegiate Horse Show Association National Championship with 25 points on Sunday, April 26, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Members of the UF’s western equestrian team and coaches  pose with trophies after winning the national title Sunday.

Individually, Katie Morehead won Open Western Horsemanship which gave Findlay the national title.

She also won the same event in individual competition and placed second for the High Point rider Award. Morehead tied Jennifer Nagel of New York State with 211 points, but lost out on first in a tiebreaker.

In addition, Heather Kiesewetter won the Beginner Western Horsemanship (Team), Adam D’Agostino was victorious in the Advanced Western Horsemanship (Team), Heather Allenby won the Novice Western Horsemanship (Individual), Spencer Zimmerman captured first in the Intermediate Western Horsemanship (Individual) and Kimberly Deane was first in the Advanced Western Horsemanship (Individual).

In the Intermediate Western Horsemanship (Team), Beverly Chagnon earned third place while Lilly Flynn was second in the Beginner Horsemanship (Individual). 

Team Standings

1. Findlay - 25
2. Oregon State - 21
2. Ohio State  - 21
4. Black Hawk - 17
5. St. Andrews Presbyterian - 15
6. West Texas A&M - 13
6. Berry - 13
8. Michigan State - 6
9. West Virginia - 1

The English equestrian team placed fifth at the championship, with Kara Wintz leading the way after being named reserve champion in the Novice Equitation Over Fences.

In team competition, the following riders placed for Findlay:

Novice Equitation Over Fences - Kara Wintz, second
Novice Equitation on the Flat - Sarah Guidice, fourth
Intermediate Equitation Over Fences - Mary Margaret Fly, fourth
Intermediate Equitation on the Flat - Lindsay Baker, fifth

Team Standings:

1. Centenary College, N.J. - 24
2. University of Kentucky, Ky. - 18
3. Stanford University, Calif. - 16
3. Virginia Intermont College, Va. - 16
4. College of Charleston, S.C. - 14
4. Skidmore College, N.Y. - 14
5. University of Findlay, Ohio - 13
6. Mount Holyoke College, Mass. - 10
7. Berry College, Ga - 8
7. Penn State University, PA - 8
8. Lafayette College, PA - 7
9. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wis. - 6
10. Sweet Briar College, Va. - 5
10. West Texas A&M University, Texas - 5