The Hillsdale equestrian team competed this past weekend at regionals, where junior Daniel Kish won fourth place in Western riding.
The Western riding flat class consists of riding in three gaits — walk, jog, and lope — in each direction. At regionals, the riders are required to ride in various patterns in all three gaits in addition to riding on the outside of the arena.
Kish has ridden for about 18 years, since he was about two or three. He began riding on ponies, riding western his whole life. Since arriving at Hillsdale, he has been competing at the collegiate level since freshman year.
“I’ve never made it this far before,” Kish said. “So I’m really excited to compete.”
At regionals, Kish competed with 29 other riders, divided into novice, intermediate, and advanced divisions, with eight in Kish’s division of flat riding. Only the top two students were able to go to the semifinals. After semifinals, the riders go on to zones, and then to nationals.
With the end of the equestrian season coming to a close, check next week’s edition of The Collegian for a round-up of the equestrian team’s activities.
