[SEASON PREVIEW] Hunt seat team sets sights on region title

MIDWAY, Ky. - With a healthy mix of new and returning talent, Midway equestrian hunt seat coach Heath Gunnison believes his team is in a great spot to compete for a region title this season.

"I'm really excited," said Gunnison, whose team will open the 2024-25 campaign at the University of Louisville Shows this weekend. "I think preparations have been right where we need to be. Last year was a very strong team and it seems to have built little-by-little each year."

With talent across the board, Gunnison seems most excited about the open flat division. Abbie Wright, who won an open flat championship at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association's Region Tournament last season, is back, as are fellow seniors Kayden Gundry and Halley Moak.

The group also adds Zoe Macbeth, a sophomore who competed on the western team last season.

Elsewhere, Elisma Stoltz, Riley Whelan and Jessica Covey will give the Eagles good depth in the intermediate division, with Emily Sue Watts, Ann Graves and Marinna Liedle leading the walk-trot division.

Gunnison has high hopes for his novice and point rider divisions as well, though numbers will be less robust. Senior Samantha Gleason will take the lead in novice, while Ella Hutcherson is expected to have a strong freshman campaign in point rider.

This group will try to get Midway off to another great start at the University of Louisville Shows. Opening at the same tournament last season, the Eagles had a total of nine first-place finishes, earning high point team honors on the first day and reserve high point designation the next.

Gunnison believes another fast start would go a long way towards fulfilling his lofty ambitions for the season.

"I think this could be the year we can really go after the region (championship)," he said. "I think the team understands and knows their competitive and I think that's the push that we need."

Held at Stone Place Stables in Prospect, Ky., the two-day University of Louisville Shows will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, with competition starting at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. 

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