Hopkins Equestrian Team wins Reserve at Michigan Interscholastic Horse Association State Championships

By Heather Maurer

While the Quarter Horse Congress was in full swing at the beginning of October, the Michigan Interscholastic Horse Association State Championships were also being held in Midland, Michigan, where the Hopkins Equestrian Team earned a Reserve State Championship title in Division B coached by long time AQHA member and showman Heather Maurer.

The Hopkins Equestrian Team is no stranger to the State Championships. They have qualified every year since 2017, winning district championships and regional championships along the way. This year was no different. The Vikings started their season by being 2024 District 19 Division B Champions and then securing the Region A Division B Championship punching their ticket to the State Championships for a 7th year in a row.

“I never had any doubt in this strong team that we’d be making it to the State Champions again this year.”  Said Head Coach Heather Maurer.  The team started practicing in early July in hopes of coming home from Midland with the big trophy. The team also had a Clinton Anderson clinician come in for a weekend of team bonding early in the season. Helping Maurer were assistant coaches Katelyn Williams and Michael Langlois.

“The entire Langlois family has been long time supporters of Eteam. Michael has been a coach for the last few years and brought a level of passion for speed to this team that really elevated the team and pushed them to work harder, and it showed in their times. Katelyn always brings a smile to the girls’ faces,” said Maurer.

Leading the charge for the Lady Vikings were Seniors Kassidy VanHorn, Emma Langlois, and Rebekah Beilby. “We have a very strong group of Seniors this year. They have been very devoted to the team not only by being great riders, but by being leaders for the team in and out of the arena” Maurer said.  “I couldn’t be prouder of being on this strong and competitive team,” said Senior Kassidy VanHorn. She added, “We’ve worked really hard for this.” Also part of the team were Underclassman Rhiannon Brefke, Anika Boeske, and Miley Runkel.  Maurer continued, “This group of riders became very close during the post season, and it showed when we got to State.  The entire team showed up to cheer each other on.  That’s what it’s all about.”

The team worked hard over the four day competition in Midland bringing home the Reserve State Championship title for Division B.  Taking home individual State Championships were Senior Emma Langlois in Flag Race and Stakes Race, Junior Rhiannon Brefke in Saddle Seat Equitation, Saddle Seat Bareback, and Saddle Seat Pattern, and Junior Anika Boeske in Equitation over fences.  Senior Emma Langlois secured the fastest horse of the night in Flag Race with a 8.584 and Stakes Race with a 17.128.

“We have an extremely diverse team,” Maurer said. “We pride ourselves at Hopkins for having a very versatile team. We don’t specialize in any certain class. If we see potential for another class, we ask the riders to try someone new. We’ve been blessed with riders who are very open to trying new classes.”

More than anything, Maurer loves the team members for the values they represent in and out of the arena.  “We’ve just been so impressed with the talent the girls have and the passion they have for the sport,” she said. “They’re not just thankful for winning trophies. They’re thankful for everything their parents do for them and everything the community does for them.”

Looking ahead, the Hopkins equestrian team will celebrate its championship at a district banquet coming up and proudly place their Reserve Championship Trophy in their trophy case at Hopkins High School.