OIL CITY, Pa. (EYT) — Clarion University’s Equestrian Program had its first Western Team win on March 7 with two riders winning awards at the Regional Competition.

The competition was hosted by Slippery Rock University and was held at West Virginia University–Reedsville Extension Facility.

With only five club members competing — seniors, Judy Shupe and Kellie Forsman; sophomore, Marissa Smith; freshmen, Kelsey Milford and Jane Price — the Clarion team defeated several other universities that had up to 20 riders in the competition.

Judy Shupe earned High Point Reserve Rider at the competition. Shupe is a senior from Franklin, majoring in Business Management and Human Resources with a minor in Marketing. She placed second in the Intermediate Western Horsemanship II.

Shupe will advance to the semi-finals; the first and second place winners advance to the Western Semi-Finals at St. Andrews University in North Carolina on March 29. Last year Shupe finished first in the Beginner Western Horsemanship and was the team’s first Regional Champion. She placed 6th overall in the Semi-Finals.

Sophomore Marissa Smith, a Criminal Justice major from Dempseytown, placed 6th in the same class, Intermediate Western Horsemanship II.

The Western Team had two previous High Point Team Reserves at the Slippery Rock show on November 2, 2013, and the Indiana University of Pennsylvania show on February 22. Kellie Forsman, a senior from Erie majoring in Business with a Graphic Arts minor, was the High Point Rider at the IUP competition.

The Clarion University Equestrian Club was established in 2009 at Venango College of Clarion University as a club sport. Daly Fuller, coordinator of intramurals and recreation at Venango College, serves as the club advisor. The club sport is open to all university students studying at Venango and Clarion campuses.