Marheine Represents Western Team at IHSA National Championship

As Albion’s first-ever National Championship qualifier for its two-year-old western team, junior team captain Trish Marheine (Iron Mountain / Kingsford) carried a great deal of responsibility on her shoulders as she entered the Miller Coliseum on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University for the AQHA High Point Rider class over the weekend of April 23 through 26, 2009.

Luckily for the Britons, Marheine was, in the words of western team coach Denise Webber, “one cool cucumber.”

The AQHA High Point Rider class was in two parts, requiring Marheine to compete in both horsemanship and reining, as she had done all through the regular season.

"Everything went really well and I could not have asked for better rides," Marheine said.  "It was a great experience and I look forward to working my way back there next year."

Webber said, “Trish is amazing.  Her horsemanship patter was very difficult and she did it with ease.  The Nationals was a great experience for both coach and rider.”

Though Marheine did not place in the Top Ten at the conclusion of the competition, both Webber and equestrian program director George Halkett were impressed with her performance and excited about the future of Albion’s western program.

“Trish is truly a great ambassador for Albion and the western team,” Halkett said.  “She studies harder than any student I know and she is also very dedicated to her riding.  It was a privilege to watch her compete this season.”

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