University of Findlay Repeats AQHA Team National Championship
The AQHA National Champion University of Findlay team. Photo by EQ Media
Syracuse, N.Y.—May 5, 2018—The final day of the 2019 Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) National Championships featured the conclusion of the Western divisions. This year, the IHSA is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Western Divisions. Young men and women from across North America qualified to compete at the Expo Center at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse. The University of Findlay successfully defended their 2018 title and took home the trophy for the second consecutive year with 49 points. The University of Wisconsin-River Falls was named reserve champion with 41 points and Ohio State University was a close third with 39 points.
Spencer Zimmerman, who became the Findlay Oilers’ head coach for the 2017-2018 season a is now two-for-two.
“We have a lot of the same riders that we had last year, but it’s a horse show so anything can happen,” Zimmerman said. “They came in with their A-game. They had the mindset and the technique and the tools. It was a lot of fun to see.”
Three Findlay team seniors had their graduation day yesterday. The team will start back up in August and the riders will have to earn their spots on the team for next year.
The winning University of Findlay team. Photo by EQ Media
“We won’t have a whole brand-new team, I’m sure, but they’ll all be fighting for their spot on the team again,” he said.
This is the University of Findlay’s seventh IHSA AQHA Team National Championship.
UNIVERSITY OF FINDLAY’S JULIA ROSHELLI SWEEPS HER DIVISIONS AND EARNS THE AQHA HIGH POINT RIDER AWARD AND AQHA TEAM OPEN CHAMPION
Julia Roshelli and Louise, owned by University of Findlay. Photo by alcookphoto.com
Julia Roshelli won every class she qualified for at Nationals. She earned the championship honors in Individual Open Reining, AQHA Team Open Horsemanship and the AQHA High Point Rider. Ironically, the University of Findlay senior’s photo graced this year’s IHSA 40th Anniversary of the Western Divisions graphic.
“It’s a little unreal,” Roshelli said. “This has just been a huge goal of mine, you know, for all four years.”
This was Roshelli’s first full year competing in the open division.
Julia Roshelli after winning the AQHA Team Open championship. Photo by EQ Media
“From day-one I was going for this and I’ve worked hard and my coaches have helped me along the way. It’s a great way to end my senior year.
Roshelli rode Louise, owned by the University of Findlay in the AQHA High Point Rider Reining Phase and Sarah from Alfred University in the AQHA Open Horsemanship, which helped to seal the deal for the Findlay team.
Julia Roshelli after winning the AQHA High Point Rider title, she receives congratulations from
her coach Spencer Zimmerman. Photo by Ellyn Narodowy
