Billings, MT - On a weekend which saw the University of Montana Western win the final three western regular season shows to capture their first-ever trip to Semifinals with a full team, six classes comprised Region 3 Western Regionals (which were held following the final regular season show on Sunday). Somewhat unsurprisingly both high point team Montana Western and Utah State University (the reserve high point team for the season, which saw their run of Region Titles end at four straight) advanced the most individual rides to Semifinals.

Jason Romney, who was the high point open western rider for 2009-10, earned a pair of blue ribbons for Utah State with wins in open reining and open rail while Zachary Schmidt won intermediate western. Kelsey Wilson was the third Utah State rider to advance to Cazenovia, placing second to Sarah Nelson of the College of Southern Idaho in novice western.

Montana Western had a de facto monopoly in the advanced western, as blue ribbon winner Jenny Winfield and runner-up Amanda Stephenson were the only riders to reach 35 points in the division during the regular season. Joining Winfield in the blue ribbon category was teammate Colleen Meagher, who won beginner western horsemanship. Kristen Gfroerer, who was the top western open rider in the region during 2008-09 finished second to Romney in both open classes.

Also surviving regionals were Beth Bappe of Rocky Mountain College (second to Schmidt in intermediate western) and Anna Kendall of the Universitiy of Montana (second to Meagher in beginner western). Everyone who earned a top two placing will have the opportunity to compete at Semifinals in Cazenovia, New York on March 27th and 28th. Riders who make the top four in each individual class at Semifinals will advance to IHSA Nationals in Lexington, Kentucky May 6th through 9th.

--Story by Steve Maxwell; Results courtesy James Stewart.

Beginner western horsemanship: 1. Colleen Meagher, University of Montana Western. 2. Anna Kendall, University of Montana. 3. Katie Stiffler, Carroll College. 4. Brian O'Leary, Montana State University. 5. Amber Stein, University of Montana Western.

Intermediate western horsemanship: 1. Zachary Schmidt, Utah State University. 2. Beth Bappe, Rocky Mountain College. 3. Jessica Steinke, Rocky Mountain College. 4. Brenna Dwyer, University of Montana Western. 5. Brian Booth, Utah State University. 6. Fred Deffenbaugh, University of Montana Western.

Novice western horsemanship: 1. Sarah Nelson, College of Southern Idaho. 2. Kelsey Wilson, Utah State University. 3. Meredith Burton, Rocky Mountain College. 4. Lauren Doyle, Utah State University. 5. Lindsay Gran, Rocky Mountain College. 6. Kayd Uecker, University of Montana.

Advanced western horsemanship: 1. Jenny Winfield, University of Montana Western. 2. Amanda Stephenson, University of Montana Western.

Open western horsemanship: 1. Jason Romney, Utah State University. 2. Kristen Gfroerer, University of Montana Western.

Open reining: 1. Jason Romney, Utah State University. 2. Kristen Gfroerer, University of Montana Western. 3. Amanda Gelderman, University of Montana Western.