CANYON, TX — The Alfred University Western equestrian team competed March 22 at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Semi-Finals March 22 at West Texas A&M University.

AU sent seven riders to the Semi-Finals and placed seventh in the team competition. Junior Kristen Kovatch (Lansdale, PA/North Penn) placed fourth in advance horsemanship and qualified to compete in the IHSA National Championships, being held April 23-26 in Murfreesboro, TN.

Kovatch was the only AU rider to qualify for nationals. Senior Katie Mix (Warsaw, NY/Warsaw) rode in individual competition in open horsemanship and reining but did not place.

Saxons who competed at the IHSA Western Semi-Finals in team events were: Mix, open horsemanship, seventh; junior Lauren Pfeifer (Livonia, NY/Livonia), reining, seventh place; junior Kate West (Pavilion, NY/Pavilion), advanced horsemanship, fifth place; junior Michelle Applebaum (Applegate, CA/Maidu), novice horsemanship, fourth place; sophomore Brittany Biegel (Ridge, NY/Longwood), intermediate horsemanship, fourth place; and junior Christy Rath (Hilton, NY/Hilton), beginner horsemanship, fourth place.