JACKRABBITS SIGN 11 FOR EQUESTRIAN

Eleven high school students who have excelled in youth riding circuits recently signed National Letters of Intent to further their equestrian and academic pursuits at South Dakota State University starting next fall.

The six signees expected to compete in the jumping seat events under the direction of coach Allie Kreindler include:

Samantha Aisenberg, Midlothian, Virginia;
Sydney Chmel, Lake Quivira, Kansas;
Katharine Hoerle, Osprey, Florida;
Isabelle Malick, Colorado Springs, Colorado;
Eddyn Molden, Cross Junction, Virginia;
Caroline Roche, St. Louis, Missouri.

SAMANTHA AISENBERG
Aisenberg completed a highly successful 2023 season with first-place finishes at the AYR Equitation Challenge and Bryan Trophy Horsemanship Class. She added a fourth-place finish in the Zone 3 Equitation Finals and on the state level placed fifth in equitation on the flat and sixth in the Hunter Seat Medal Finals in competitions sponsored by the Maryland Horse Show Association.

In addition, Aisenberg qualified for the Hamel Medal and THIS Medal finals, while recording runner-up and fourth-place finishes in equitation for the 16-17 age division at The National Horse Show.

An Honor Roll student at Trinity Episcopal School, she plans to pursue a degree in business economics.

SYDNEY CHMEL
Chmel competed in the Hamel Finals in 2022, followed by appearances in the Maclay and Dover finals during the 2023 competition season. She also posted first- and third-place finishes in the 2023 Maffitt Lake Grand Prix and competed in the West Coast Show Jumping Hall of Fame at the junior level.

In other national competition she placed in the top 30 overall at the Capital Challenge in 2022.

A member of the National Honor Society, Chmel intends to study pre-veterinary medicine at SDSU.

KATHARINE HOERLE
Hoerle qualified for USHJA medal finals in both the hunter seat (2022) and jumping seat (2023) categories, while also earning a berth in the 2023 ASPCA Maclay Finals. She capped her 2023 season by being crowned the WEC Ocala Summer Circuit champion in 15-17 equitation and recorded a third-place finish at the Southeast Medal High Finals in the child/adult jumper division.

An honor student at Pine View School, Hoerle plans to major in business economics.

ISABELLE MALICK
Malick is a two-time Interscholastic Equestrian Association National Finals qualifier who also was the 2022 Colorado Hunter Jumper Association Medal Finals and 15-17 Equitation Champion. This past season she was a United States Equestrian Federation/National Collegiate Equestrian Association Junior Hunter Seat Medal Final qualifier, as well as a Hamel Championship qualifier.

A member of the 2024 graduating class at Village High School, she intends to pursue a degree in business economics.

EDDYN MOLDEN
Molden's accolades include being named grand champion in 2022 by the United States Hunter Jumper Association and winning a national title at the 2023 Devon Young Pony competition. She added a sixth-place finish in fences at the 2021 United States Equestrian Federation Pony Finals.

Molden will graduate this spring from Sherando High School and plans to major in criminology.

CAROLINE ROCHE
Roche recently posted a top-10 finish in the Children's Hunter Classic event at The National Horse Show in Lexington, Kentucky.

A graduate of Ladue Horton Watkins High School, she has yet to declare a major at SDSU.

Additionally, Western coach Jordan Gates announced five signees who will compete in horsemanship and/or reining for the Jackrabbits:

Annabelle Batsche, Mason, Ohio;
Avery Bergan, Baldwin City, Kansas;
Ada Hirschfeld, Kearney, Nebraska;
Anna Minich, LaPorte, Indiana;
Emma Riggs, Alexandria, South Dakota.

ANNABELLE BATSCHE
Batsche has competed in American Quarter Horse Association events since the age of 12, winning Indiana state titles in Level 1 horsemanship, showmanship and equitation. She also has recorded a top-five national finish in Level 1 showmanship and top-10 national showings in equitation and horsemanship, while adding a Justin L2 all-around title.

An honor student and peer tutor at William Mason High School, Batsche plans to major in political science.

AVERY BERGAN
Bergan is a five-time youth world qualifier who added finishes of fifth place in showmanship and seventh place in equitation at the Novice Championship Show. In 2021, she was honored as the Missouri Quarter Horse Youth Association's Rookie of the Year and also was named High Point Winner at the Pinto World Show. This past season, she was the MQHYA Equitation High Point Winner.

In addition to equestrian, Bergan played volleyball at Baldwin High School and has been a member of the National Honor Society. Her future education plans include majoring in human development and family studies.

ADA HIRSCHFELD
Hirschfeld won back-to-back Nebraska Quarter Horse Youth Association High Point titles in 2021 and 2022, adding a bronze medal in Level 3 Youth Trail at the 2022 American Quarter Horse Youth Association World Show. She also has recorded numerous top-five finishes in National Reining Horse Association competitions.

A member of the National Honor Society at Kearney Catholic High School, Hirschfeld plans to pursue a degree in agricultural business.

ANNA MINICH
Minich was honored as Indiana Quarter Horse Youth Association Rookie of the Year in 2023 and also registered top-10 finishes with the Quarter Horse Congress Level 2 Youth Trail and American Quarter Horse Youth Association World Show Level 1 Horsemanship. In addition, her extensive list of awards includes garnering bronze in the World Champion Novice Youth Showmanship NSBA World Championship Show this past season.

A member of the A Honor Roll at South Central Senior High School, Minich intends to major in animal science.

EMMA RIGGS
Riggs qualified for the Oklahoma Futurity competition and American Quarter Horse Association Worlds each of the past four years, while adding a runner-up finish at the Kiplinger Challenge and a third-place finish at the NCRHA-CPRHA Affiliate Finals Futurity in 2023. In addition, she was honored as Justin Exhibitor of the Year in 2020.

A member of the 2024 graduating class at Hanson High School, Riggs plans to further her studies in hospitality, tourism and event management. Her older sister, Isabelle, previously competed in equestrian for the Jackrabbits.

-GoJacks.com-

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JACKRABBITS SIGN 11 FOR EQUESTRIAN

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