Completed Event: Equestrian versus #1 UC Davis on March 28, 2026 , Loss , 7, to, 12
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FINAL
Equestrian
7
vs #1 UC Davis
12
South Dakota State University Athletics
WESTERN TEAM SIGNS TWO
11/12/2020 12:01:00 PM | Equestrian
The South Dakota State Equestrian team added a pair of western athletes as a part of National Signing Day, western coach Morgan DiGiulio announced on Wednesday.Â
Paige Wellendorf adds to SDSU's horsemanship lineup, while Lydia Loken bolsters the team's talent in reining.
Wellendorf, who comes to Brookings from Kearney, Mo., brings with her a slew of awards and acknowledgements from national associations like the All American Quarter Horse Congress and the American Quarter Horse Association. The Kearney High School product was named Reserve All-Around High Point Champion by the All American Quarter Horse Congress in 2015, as well as named reserve champion in trail back-to-back years in 2015 and 2016. She was named AQHA central novice champion in trail and western riding in 2017 and earned the title of trail semi-finalist by the American Quarter Horse Youth Association in 2018. Wellendorf finished sixth at the 2019 National Snaffle and Bit Association (NSBA) World Show in trail while also finishing in the top 15 for horsemanship at the same competition. In 2020 she earned a top 15 finish in hunter under saddle at the AQHYA World Show and took home another top 15 finish in the same event, this time at the NSBA World show. She's a two-time academic letter winner and earned the Future Farmers of America chapter scholarship award for displaying high academic success during the 2018-2019 school year. Wellendorf plans to major in animal science.
Lydia Loken is a three-time AQHYA World Show qualifier and competitor and was named the AQHA young horse development national champion in 2018. She brings with her three top-10 finishes at the AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Championship in 2019. On top of competing in the AQHYA, Loken also competed in the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), the Rocky Mountain Quarter Horse Association (RMQHA) and the Rocky Mountain Reining Horse Association (RMRHA) where she has competed in reining, ranch riding, showmanship, horsemanship and versatility ranch horse classes. The Gunnison Colo. native was ranked eighth nationally for AQHYA Rookie of the Year in 2018. A member of the honor roll all four years at Gunnison High School, Loken finished 12th in the state in varsity rock climbing in 2019 and plans to study economics and environmental science.Â
"I am so excited to welcome Paige and Lydia to the Jackrabbit family! Both of these young women come with so much unique talent and strength in their disciplines, and they're also bringing with them a lot of competitive drive and show experience, paired with a work ethic and dedication to the sport that is sure to see them succeed," said DiGiulio. "I think they're going to fit very well within the team dynamic and I can't wait to see what they bring to the table next year!"
The Jackrabbits equestrian team will host an intersquad scrimmage Saturday, Nov. 14. The scrimmage will start at 9 a.m. with fences, horsemanship and flat followed by reining. Spectators will not be permitted in the DeHaan Equestrian Center. Check @GoJacksEQ on social media for live stream viewing information.Â
-GoJacks.com-
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