The University of Minnesota Crookston equestrian team wrapped up the 2025-26 season with two student-athletes competing at the 2025 IHSA National Championships at Tryon International in Mill Spring, N.C.
Hailey Hanson (Fr., Inver Grove Heights) competed in Individual Open Horsemanship on Friday, May 2 and finished in 10th place. In order to qualify for Nationals, the Golden Eagle riders had to finish in the top two at the IHSA Regional Championships, and in the top four of their division at Semifinals. Hailey rode “Boston” provided by the University of Findlay.
Madison Wojcek (So., Bremerton, Wash.) had the opportunity to compete in the Back on Track Hi-Point Rider phase at the IHSA Nationals. Wojcek competed in both a Horsemanship and Reining phase of the competition. She had the opportunity to take part in the Back on Track competition after winning the High Point Rider award for her region. She accomplished this by amassing the most points as an Open rider in the region during the regular season. Wojcek then competed in the Back on Track competition at IHSA Semifinals, where they had to be in the top five in order to advance to IHSA Nationals.
Wojcek competed at IHSA Nationals against the top five riders from each of the three sections, making it a 15-person field. She placed ninth overall after riding “Archie” in the Horsemanship phase, provided by Black Hawk College, and “Venus” in Reining, provided by the University of Findlay.
