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
Photo by: Dave Eggen/Inertia
EQUESTRIAN ANNOUNCES 2020-21 SIGNING CLASS
5/22/2020 9:53:00 AM | Equestrian
South Dakota State Equestrian has announced its 15 incoming student athletes for the 2020-21 season, including eight on the Jumping Seat team and seven on the Western side.
The 15 newcomers come to SDSU from 10 different states and one internationally. Three are from Colorado, two from each Arizona and Iowa, one each from California, Illinois, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin, and one from Graz, Austria.
"I am looking forward to our strong and diverse recruiting class starting this Fall," Jumping Seat coach Marielle Golden said about her incoming class. "I believe each one of these girls brings a unique background and skill level that will elevate the Jumping Seat roster. With the addition of these eight riders, the Jumping Seat team will grow in roster size and advance the whole team to a higher level of excellence."
Western coach Morgan DiGiulio is equally as excited about the newcomers to the Western team.
"We have an excellent group of Western athletes coming in next year and I'm looking forward to having these talented and enthusiastic riders aboard to add some more depth to our Western program in addition to my group of seasoned returners," said DiGiulio. "Each of our seven incomers are sure to bring something special to the team, and I am confident that they will all be athletes to watch in the upcoming season. I can't wait to see what kind of success they find next year and beyond."
Jumping Seat
Margaret Franke – Northridge, Calif. | Notre Dame H.S.
Before SDSU: Was the 2018 Reserve Circuit Champion in the 1.00m AA Jumpers at Verdugo Hills and Gold Coast Horse Show Series … Reserve Champion in San Fernando Hunter Jumper Association 1.00m AA Jumpers and 1.00m LEGIS Jumper Championship Reserve Champion (2018) … won the 2018 1.00m Children's Jumpers Stirrup Cup Award … finished first place in 19/22 1.00m AA Jumper classes (2018) … participated in the Zone 10 Emerging Athletes Program … finished fourth at the LEGIS League 3ft Medal Finals (2019) … qualified for San Fernando Hunter Jumper Association Medal Finals … finished in the top ribbons for the Large Junior Hunters as well as the 3'6 Equitation … earned honor roll all four years of high school and Student Athlete Honor Roll in freshman and sophomore years … recognized by the California Scholarship Federation her sophomore year … also plays beach volleyball and enjoys photography and reading.
Aerin Hopkins – Naperville, Ill. | Neuqua Valley H.S.
Before SDSU: Qualified for the Interscholastic Equestrian Association Regionals Varsity Open (2020) … also qualified for Maclay Regionals and Finals, and Illinois Hunter and Jumper Association Junior Medal (2019) … finished fifth in World Equestrian Center $10,000 Derby.
Cali Karbler – Chagrin Falls, Ohio | Kenston H.S.
Before SDSU: Earned division and classic wins at Children's Jumper (2017, 2018) and championship wins at the event (2017-2019) … tallied wins in the Big EQ … competed at WIHS and earned Zone Horse of the Year (2018, 2019) … top placings at Devon Horse Show (2019) … competed at NAL Finals (2019) … earned Art I and II Academic award (2018) and named to honor roll (2016-2019).
Kate Koehl – Prescott Valley, Ariz. | AAEC H.S. Prescott Valley
Before SDSU: Qualified for Future Farmers of America (FFA) Nationals in 2017 and Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) Nationals in 2018 … was Arizona Hunter Jumper Association (AHJA) Year-End Modified-Hunters Champion and made the Children's Medal Finals in 2018 … attended George Morris and Holly Hugo-Vidal clinics in 2018 … 2019 IEA Team Captain and regional qualifier … attended Geoff Teall Clinic in 2019 and moved up to High Children's Jumpers … finished seventh at the FFA Nationals in Horse Judging … placed eighth at the IEA Nationals Varsity Intermediate in Fences … placed fourth in the AHJA Children's Medal Finals in Catch Ride … finished second out of 28 riders at the 1.10 Jumpers Hipico Santa Fe … earned honor roll all four years (2016-2020) and National Horse Show member from 2018-2020 … involved in the FFA as a reporter (2017-18) and a secretary (2018-19).
Morgan Maucher – Monument, Colo. | Lewis-Palmer H.S.
Before SDSU: Connecticut Hunter and Jumper Association (CHJA) champion and Reserve champion in Junior Equitation 15 and older (2019) … United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Pony Hunter and Eq champion and Zone Eight Large Pony Hunter champion (2016) … CHJA Pony Equitation and Hunter champion and USEF Children's Pony champion (2015) … was a CHJA High Point Junior Equitation Rider, being named Best Child Rider and earning the Spirit of Excellence award (2019) … earned Large Pony of the Year and Quartermaster Pony of the Year (2016) … CHJA Junior Hunter of the Year and Pony of the Year (2015) … named Zone Eight Children's Large Pony Hunter of the Year Reserve (2015).
Isabel Starke – Graz, Austria | Borg Spittal H.S.
Before SDSU: 2014 Rookie of the Year … 2016 Austrian Juniors Champion … earned Grand Prix wins in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Julia Werkhoven – Tempa, Ariz. | Corona Del Sol H.S.
Before SDSU: Qualified for Maclay finals and Dover finals, placed 11th in Maclay regionals and 22nd in Hunterdon West (2019) … 2018 Arizona Hunter Jumper Medal fine 3'3 champion … two-time IEA Reserve National Champion (2016, 2017) … champions in Junior Hunters and Age Group Equestrian … was the 2019 AHJA Large Junior Hunter Year-end Champion and Horse of the Year Junior Hunter Champion … placed third in 3'3 Junior Hunters Year-end (2018) … member of the National Honors Society.
Jocelyn Wille – Lafayette, Colo. | Monarch H.S.
Before SDSU: Colorado Hunter Jumper Association (CHJA) Junior Medal Champion (2018) … CHJA Junior Equestrian Year-End Champion (2018) … CHJA High Point Junior Equestrian Rider Champion (2018) … Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America (WPCSA) High Point Youth Award Reserve champion (2018) … WPCSA Stockseat Equestrian champion (2018) … United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Horse of the Year Grand Champion Welsh (2018) … WPSCA High Point Youth champion (2019) … CHJA Pony Hunter-Large champion (2018) … earned Monarch High School Academic Letter (2016-2019).
Western
Anna Beihoffer – Arpin, Wis. | Auburndale H.S.
Before SDSU: Rode in the American Quarter Horse Association (AGHA) Youth Championship (2019) … finalist in Novice Championship Youth 14-18 Showmanship and Rookie Western Pleasure (2019) … AQHA Performance and Halter ROM (2017) … competed in Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, Youth Gelding Halter, Equitation, Open Performance Halter Geldings, Youth Mare Halter, Showmanship and Horsemanship … named to honor roll all four years of high school and a member of the National Honor Society.
Grace Blake – Traer, Iowa | North Tama H.S.
Before SDSU: World Champion for American Buckskin Registry Association (ABRA) … has finished ranked number one in the state, been ranked nationally and qualified for the world show … earned Honor Roll all four years of high school.
Andrea Brandner – Sioux Falls, S.D. | Harrisburg H.S.
Before SDSU: Was 2019 WSCA champion in Horsemanship … a four-time 4-H state champion in South Dakota (2016-2019) … graduated with honors from Harrisburg H.S. … also enjoys running, hiking and kayaking … father, Robert Brandner, played basketball at Northern State.
Shelby Cochran – Oxford, Iowa | Clear Creek Amana H.S.
Before SDSU: A six-time Reserve Congress Champion, is a NSBA Bronze Champion, Reserve World Champion and World Champion … in the AQHA, is an L1 and L2 World Champion and an L3 Bronze Champion … also a Tom Powers Champion and holds a Multiple Circuit award … enjoys baking and cooking … mother golfed at Northern Iowa.
Elizabeth Guagenti – Monument, Colo. | Lewis-Palmer H.S.
Before SDSU: Finished top-10 in youth 14-18 Rocky Mountain Reining Horse Association (RMRHA) … top-five in Rookie 1 RMRHA … attended the Rocky Mountain Leadership Conference.
Zuerker Merritt – Frisco, Texas | Rick Reedy H.S.
Before SDSU: 2019 Reserve World Champion in Saddle Seat … 2018 World Champion in the English Hunter Under Saddle and Saddle Seat with multiple top-five finishes … 2014 Saddle Seat World Champion at 12 years old … holds multiple top-five finishes as a walk trotter … also enjoys fitness and volunteering in the community.
Morgan Ritz – Comstock, Neb. | Ord H.S.
Before SDSU: 2018 and 2019 Central Plains Reining Horse Association (CPRHA) Reserve 14-18 Youth Champion … 2016-19 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Youth 14-18 Affiliate Championship Qualifier … 2018-19 American Quarter Horse Youth World Show Qualifier … 2016 CPRHA Reserve Champion Rookie … 2018-19 NRHA Year End Top 15 rider … 2018 NRHA 200 Point Level Earner … also named 2018-19 Academic All-State in cross country at Ord H.S. where she graduated with honors … 2019-20 National Honor Society … is also the 2020 National Reining Horse Youth Association President.
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The 15 newcomers come to SDSU from 10 different states and one internationally. Three are from Colorado, two from each Arizona and Iowa, one each from California, Illinois, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin, and one from Graz, Austria.
"I am looking forward to our strong and diverse recruiting class starting this Fall," Jumping Seat coach Marielle Golden said about her incoming class. "I believe each one of these girls brings a unique background and skill level that will elevate the Jumping Seat roster. With the addition of these eight riders, the Jumping Seat team will grow in roster size and advance the whole team to a higher level of excellence."
Western coach Morgan DiGiulio is equally as excited about the newcomers to the Western team.
"We have an excellent group of Western athletes coming in next year and I'm looking forward to having these talented and enthusiastic riders aboard to add some more depth to our Western program in addition to my group of seasoned returners," said DiGiulio. "Each of our seven incomers are sure to bring something special to the team, and I am confident that they will all be athletes to watch in the upcoming season. I can't wait to see what kind of success they find next year and beyond."
Jumping Seat
Margaret Franke – Northridge, Calif. | Notre Dame H.S.
Before SDSU: Was the 2018 Reserve Circuit Champion in the 1.00m AA Jumpers at Verdugo Hills and Gold Coast Horse Show Series … Reserve Champion in San Fernando Hunter Jumper Association 1.00m AA Jumpers and 1.00m LEGIS Jumper Championship Reserve Champion (2018) … won the 2018 1.00m Children's Jumpers Stirrup Cup Award … finished first place in 19/22 1.00m AA Jumper classes (2018) … participated in the Zone 10 Emerging Athletes Program … finished fourth at the LEGIS League 3ft Medal Finals (2019) … qualified for San Fernando Hunter Jumper Association Medal Finals … finished in the top ribbons for the Large Junior Hunters as well as the 3'6 Equitation … earned honor roll all four years of high school and Student Athlete Honor Roll in freshman and sophomore years … recognized by the California Scholarship Federation her sophomore year … also plays beach volleyball and enjoys photography and reading.
Aerin Hopkins – Naperville, Ill. | Neuqua Valley H.S.
Before SDSU: Qualified for the Interscholastic Equestrian Association Regionals Varsity Open (2020) … also qualified for Maclay Regionals and Finals, and Illinois Hunter and Jumper Association Junior Medal (2019) … finished fifth in World Equestrian Center $10,000 Derby.
Cali Karbler – Chagrin Falls, Ohio | Kenston H.S.
Before SDSU: Earned division and classic wins at Children's Jumper (2017, 2018) and championship wins at the event (2017-2019) … tallied wins in the Big EQ … competed at WIHS and earned Zone Horse of the Year (2018, 2019) … top placings at Devon Horse Show (2019) … competed at NAL Finals (2019) … earned Art I and II Academic award (2018) and named to honor roll (2016-2019).
Kate Koehl – Prescott Valley, Ariz. | AAEC H.S. Prescott Valley
Before SDSU: Qualified for Future Farmers of America (FFA) Nationals in 2017 and Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) Nationals in 2018 … was Arizona Hunter Jumper Association (AHJA) Year-End Modified-Hunters Champion and made the Children's Medal Finals in 2018 … attended George Morris and Holly Hugo-Vidal clinics in 2018 … 2019 IEA Team Captain and regional qualifier … attended Geoff Teall Clinic in 2019 and moved up to High Children's Jumpers … finished seventh at the FFA Nationals in Horse Judging … placed eighth at the IEA Nationals Varsity Intermediate in Fences … placed fourth in the AHJA Children's Medal Finals in Catch Ride … finished second out of 28 riders at the 1.10 Jumpers Hipico Santa Fe … earned honor roll all four years (2016-2020) and National Horse Show member from 2018-2020 … involved in the FFA as a reporter (2017-18) and a secretary (2018-19).
Morgan Maucher – Monument, Colo. | Lewis-Palmer H.S.
Before SDSU: Connecticut Hunter and Jumper Association (CHJA) champion and Reserve champion in Junior Equitation 15 and older (2019) … United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Pony Hunter and Eq champion and Zone Eight Large Pony Hunter champion (2016) … CHJA Pony Equitation and Hunter champion and USEF Children's Pony champion (2015) … was a CHJA High Point Junior Equitation Rider, being named Best Child Rider and earning the Spirit of Excellence award (2019) … earned Large Pony of the Year and Quartermaster Pony of the Year (2016) … CHJA Junior Hunter of the Year and Pony of the Year (2015) … named Zone Eight Children's Large Pony Hunter of the Year Reserve (2015).
Isabel Starke – Graz, Austria | Borg Spittal H.S.
Before SDSU: 2014 Rookie of the Year … 2016 Austrian Juniors Champion … earned Grand Prix wins in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Julia Werkhoven – Tempa, Ariz. | Corona Del Sol H.S.
Before SDSU: Qualified for Maclay finals and Dover finals, placed 11th in Maclay regionals and 22nd in Hunterdon West (2019) … 2018 Arizona Hunter Jumper Medal fine 3'3 champion … two-time IEA Reserve National Champion (2016, 2017) … champions in Junior Hunters and Age Group Equestrian … was the 2019 AHJA Large Junior Hunter Year-end Champion and Horse of the Year Junior Hunter Champion … placed third in 3'3 Junior Hunters Year-end (2018) … member of the National Honors Society.
Jocelyn Wille – Lafayette, Colo. | Monarch H.S.
Before SDSU: Colorado Hunter Jumper Association (CHJA) Junior Medal Champion (2018) … CHJA Junior Equestrian Year-End Champion (2018) … CHJA High Point Junior Equestrian Rider Champion (2018) … Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America (WPCSA) High Point Youth Award Reserve champion (2018) … WPCSA Stockseat Equestrian champion (2018) … United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Horse of the Year Grand Champion Welsh (2018) … WPSCA High Point Youth champion (2019) … CHJA Pony Hunter-Large champion (2018) … earned Monarch High School Academic Letter (2016-2019).
Western
Anna Beihoffer – Arpin, Wis. | Auburndale H.S.
Before SDSU: Rode in the American Quarter Horse Association (AGHA) Youth Championship (2019) … finalist in Novice Championship Youth 14-18 Showmanship and Rookie Western Pleasure (2019) … AQHA Performance and Halter ROM (2017) … competed in Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, Youth Gelding Halter, Equitation, Open Performance Halter Geldings, Youth Mare Halter, Showmanship and Horsemanship … named to honor roll all four years of high school and a member of the National Honor Society.
Grace Blake – Traer, Iowa | North Tama H.S.
Before SDSU: World Champion for American Buckskin Registry Association (ABRA) … has finished ranked number one in the state, been ranked nationally and qualified for the world show … earned Honor Roll all four years of high school.
Andrea Brandner – Sioux Falls, S.D. | Harrisburg H.S.
Before SDSU: Was 2019 WSCA champion in Horsemanship … a four-time 4-H state champion in South Dakota (2016-2019) … graduated with honors from Harrisburg H.S. … also enjoys running, hiking and kayaking … father, Robert Brandner, played basketball at Northern State.
Shelby Cochran – Oxford, Iowa | Clear Creek Amana H.S.
Before SDSU: A six-time Reserve Congress Champion, is a NSBA Bronze Champion, Reserve World Champion and World Champion … in the AQHA, is an L1 and L2 World Champion and an L3 Bronze Champion … also a Tom Powers Champion and holds a Multiple Circuit award … enjoys baking and cooking … mother golfed at Northern Iowa.
Elizabeth Guagenti – Monument, Colo. | Lewis-Palmer H.S.
Before SDSU: Finished top-10 in youth 14-18 Rocky Mountain Reining Horse Association (RMRHA) … top-five in Rookie 1 RMRHA … attended the Rocky Mountain Leadership Conference.
Zuerker Merritt – Frisco, Texas | Rick Reedy H.S.
Before SDSU: 2019 Reserve World Champion in Saddle Seat … 2018 World Champion in the English Hunter Under Saddle and Saddle Seat with multiple top-five finishes … 2014 Saddle Seat World Champion at 12 years old … holds multiple top-five finishes as a walk trotter … also enjoys fitness and volunteering in the community.
Morgan Ritz – Comstock, Neb. | Ord H.S.
Before SDSU: 2018 and 2019 Central Plains Reining Horse Association (CPRHA) Reserve 14-18 Youth Champion … 2016-19 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Youth 14-18 Affiliate Championship Qualifier … 2018-19 American Quarter Horse Youth World Show Qualifier … 2016 CPRHA Reserve Champion Rookie … 2018-19 NRHA Year End Top 15 rider … 2018 NRHA 200 Point Level Earner … also named 2018-19 Academic All-State in cross country at Ord H.S. where she graduated with honors … 2019-20 National Honor Society … is also the 2020 National Reining Horse Youth Association President.
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Players Mentioned
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