The Hopkins equestrian team finished third in the state championships this past weekend in the Michigan Interscholastic Horsemanship Association competition.

The Vikings squad finished third behind Goodrich and Bay City Western, with 205 team points. Hopkins joined 11 other teams in the state championship competition in Division B. The local team won the regional title two weeks ago.

Coaches are Sue Snoeyink andLaura Roys. Riders are Katelyn Williams, Gracie DeZeeuw, Faith Roys, Isabel Maguffee, Vallery Nagengast, Alyssa Beilby, Ashley Bieber and Cassie Jones.

The Hopkins girls competed in a diverse range of equestrian disciplines including showmanship, equitation, jumping, reining and speed events at MIHA’s District 19 meets. The district competition included 16 different teams of different divisions and was held at the Barry County Expo Center in Hastings. After three meets the Hopkins team finished as reserve champions.

That placing earned the team the honor of competing at MIHA’s Region A regional competition Sept. 28–30 in Berrien Springs against the top teams of Region A of MIHA. The Lady Vikings earned many top placings in various classes throughout the weekend competition with points being contributed by every rider on the team. At the end of the regional competition the Hopkins Equestrian Team was named regional grand champion, qualifying the local group or the first time to compete at the state championship meet in Midland.

There they met the best teams in the state and found they could do more than just hold their own as first-time state qualifiers.