Fulton, MO – The month of September yielded some impressive victories for students in the William Woods University (WWU) Equestrian Science (EQS) program, from some of the top local competitions in the industry.
“Our outstanding, nationally-renowned Equestrian Science program has been a source of pride for the William Woods community for decades,” said Dr. Jeremy Moreland, President of William Woods University. “The EQS program is a prime example of the professions-oriented learning at The Woods, and congratulating our student equestrians on their hard work and competitive success never gets old.”
At the Missouri Showdown, hosted by the Kavsinger Horse Show Circuit in Sedalia, Missouri (September 14-15), WWU students faced stiff competition with over 1,000 entries in the show. Winners from William Woods in the Western seat included:
Abby Burkhalter ’25 (Fenton, Mo.) – with Huntin For Daisys, took 1st Horsemanship, 2nd Western Pleasure and 4th Trail
Hannah White ’25 (Rich Hill, Mo.) – with Promise I Will Be Good, 1st Hunter Under Saddle, 1st Jackpot Champion Hunter Under Saddle
Taylor Thompson ’26 (Belton, Mo.) – with Hot Chic At The Party, 1st Hunter Under Saddle Walk/Trot, 1st Jackpot Champion Hunter Under Saddle Walk/Trot, 2nd Equitation Walk/Trot
Miranda Vancil ’26 (St. Louis, Mo.) – with Blue Jean Dream, 2nd Versatility Walk/Trot, 3rd Equitation Walk/Trot, 4th Hunter Under Saddle Walk/Trot, 6th Western Pleasure Walk/Trot, 6th Horsemanship Walk/Trot
On September 21, William Woods hosted a Fall Hunter/Jumper Schooling Show on campus. Winners from WWU included:
Sydney Kunz ’28 (Davenport, Iowa): Champion Adult Cross Rails with Renegade
Lilly Haynes ’27 (Eureka, Mo.): Reserve Champion Adult Cross Rails with Ardeo Porsche
Isabel Kole ’26 (Fishers, Ind.): Champion Beginner Hunter Rider and Champion Hunter Rider 2’3” with Chin Chin
Kaitlyn Oberg ‘28(North Ridgeville, Ohio): Champion Limit Hunter Rider 2’6” with Cold Case
Zella Hekkert ’26 (Las Vegas, Nev.): Reserve Champion Limit Hunter Rider 2’3” with Pacha de Nantuel
Theo Brisendine ‘26(Mesquite, Texas): Champion Puddle Jumpers with Renegade
Teagan Brown ‘28(Dover, N.H.): Reserve Champion Puddle Jumpers with Maveric
Alanna Bielawski Graduate Assistant (Milwaukee, Wis.): Champion 0.65m Jumpers and Champion 0.75m Jumpers with B That Way
On September 19-22, WWU students competed in Saddle Seat at the St. Louis Kickoff Show, hosted by the Lake St. Louis Missouri National Equestrian Center. Winners from WWU included:
Jillian Becker ‘25 (Fredonia, Wis.): Reserve champion and Reserve Grand Champion 5-Gaited Open with Mr. Park Avenue
Erin Mahoney ’27 (Readington, N.J.): Champion and Grand Champion 5-Gaited Open with Pinekrest’s Ruby Tuesday
Sam Foote ’27 (Cape Elizabeth, Maine): Champion 5-Gaited Pleasure and Reserve Grand Champion 5-Gaited Pleasure with Ozark’s Big Mac Reserve Grand Champion 3-Gaited Show Pleasure with Gridded Grand Guard
Amanda Rizzi ’26 (Clinton, N.J.): Reserve Champion and Grand Champion 3-Gaited Park with Nut Job Reserve Champion 5-Gaited Pleasure with Johnny Drum
Hailey Mendenhall Juarez ‘27 (Kasson, Minn.): Reserve Champion 3-Gaited Show Pleasure with Bermuda Schwartz
