Sneed Finishes in National Top Ten

Capping an event-filled competition season that saw her sit out part of the spring with a broken wrist, Albion's senior dressage team captain Kjirsten Sneed (Washburn, WI/Washburn) traveled to the Intercollegiate Dressage Association national championship show on April 30 and May 1, 2011 and finished her collegiate career with a Top Ten placing.Dressage coach Danielle Menteer and team captain Kjirsten Sneed at the 2011 IDA National Championship.

Sneed, who returned to the dressage team as a seniorafter taking a sabbatical to concentrate on her studies and spend one semester studying in France, was named regional champion at First Level en route to her IDA Nationals berth - which was no mean feat after she sat out the last regular season meet of the year with her injury.  Still, her earlier high scores held and her wrist healed in time for her to return to the saddle for the championship show.

"Kjirsten was a great leader for her team this season," coach Danielle Menteer said.  "She's also a great competitor and I really enjoyed working with her again this season."

Of her championship ride, Sneed remarked, "There were some great horses and riders here and it was a great experience.  The scores in my class were very close - within six percentage points - and the IDA is all about doing the best with what you draw.  I think I managed to do that."

After graduation, Sneed is off to Michigan State University's law school, where she has received a full-ride scholarship.