BHC Western Equestrian Team leading Region 4

group of equine students in arena with banner, award ribbons & 2 horsesThe Black Hawk College Western Equestrian Team is currently leading Region 4 in the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) after winning the first six regular season shows.

There are eight colleges/universities in Region 4 with Black Hawk College being the only two-year school. The BHC team has 182 points. Second place Iowa State University has 128 points.

BHC riders currently hold the top three overall rankings for high point western rider. These riders compete in the open division showing in both horsemanship and reining:

  • Teah Taylor of Amarillo, TX, with 58 points
  • Kami Woodard of Norman, OK, with 49 points
  • Elena Chapa of Maple Park, IL, with 48 points

This semester the team will compete in three more regular season shows before determining the overall high point rider and regional qualifiers.

So far, the team has qualified 14 individuals for the first post-season event, Regional Championships:

  • Teah Taylor – Reining
  • Elena Chapa – Open
  • McKenna Lindsey of Mackinaw, IL – Level II
  • Shelby Trunnell of Kappa, IL – Level I
  • Taylor Trone of Lewistown, IL – Level I
  • Bailey Wight of Bloomington, IL – Level I
  • Andrea Seabloom of Woodhull, IL – Rookie B
  • Anna Marolf of Milan, IL – Rookie B
  • Emily Barbknecht of Waseca, MN – Rookie B
  • Grace Wolfington of Sheboygan, WI – Rookie B
  • Nicole Welsh of Milan, IL – Rookie B
  • Sophie Otto of Gridley, IL – Rookie B
  • Teresa Brun of Edmore, MI – Beginner
  • Jayna Trueblood of Logansport, IN– Beginner

Black Hawk College is excited to host two post-season events – the Regional Championships on Feb. 23 and the Western Semifinal Championships March 20-22. The Western Semifinal is one of three semifinals across the country, and the college is honored to host this event for the third time since 2016.