During Zones, the final qualifying show for the hunt seat teams before nationals, 2 MTSU hunt seat riders qualified to move onto the national show, held at the Kentucky Horse Park, May 4-7. Zones was held in Ocala, Florida, during the beginning of the month, where both Lindsey Ross and Kelsey Sloan earned their way to compete individually at the IHSA National Show.

Ross qualified in Novice over fences and though she has gone with the team to nationals before, this will be her first year competing.

"Zones was nerve-wracking! But the facility was so beautiful, I definitely enjoyed just getting to be there! I was nervous before my class because we were having trouble figuring out what the judge was looking for. But I talked to Anne and she told me to just ride how I know to ride and do what I've been doing all season. I drew an awesome horse and when I was done Anne said I did a great job and she was happy with all the decisions I made to the jumps. We switched horses and did additional testing in my class (4 of us were called back). I was about to dismount the second horse when they called placings and said I was 2nd!"

Though she is excited to have moved on, she still has a plan when it comes to the show pen.

"This will be my first time at nationals. My strategy is to ride smart and pay a lot of attention to the horse I draw to figure out what he/she needs from me in order for us to have a great ride! And as always I will plan the ride and ride the plan! My goal is to just be happy with my ride at nationals and learn from watching all the other great riders that will be there."

For veteran national qualifier, Kelsey Sloan, who qualified in Open Fences, her year seemed to progress straight into a spot at nationals. With three High Point Rider awards throughout the season, topped off with a Regional High Point Rider award, she's had her eyes set on nationals all year. Though Zones didn't go as planned, she was still able to earn herself a spot to compete this May.

"Zones was at a beautiful facility this year. All the horses were great. I had a plan to ride as effectively and accurately as I could. I followed through with that and had two great rides but it sadly wasn't enough that day. The competition was tough and I can't win everything- that's just this sport. I'm excited to still be qualified for nationals as the Cacchione Cup. I "officially" found that out after the last regular season show at Murray."

Her strategy this year is simply to take what she learned from last year and apply it to her ride.

"The judges at Zones agreed to talk to the riders after the show and they had some great advice for me that will help me at nationals. Last year at nationals I made the mistake of trying to ride the horse from the description and not the horse I was on and it hurt me. This year I plan to have a good, solid trip and hopefully make it to the call backs."

MTSU has undoubtedly had a great show year, in both the Western and the English disciplines and will surely make us proud at nationals. Good luck, ladies!