OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (SMU) – Sophomore Holly Lansidel was selected to compete in the 2017 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Collegiate Reining Championship on Friday at the Oklahoma State Fair Grounds.

"We are so excited to have Holly represent SMU at the Collegiate Reining Championship," SMU head coach Carol Gwin said. "This is a great way for her to get more mileage and we'll all be rooting her on."

Each year 12 reiners are selected to participate and represent collegiate equestrian. The four National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) first-team All-America reining riders received invitations, while four more NCEA riders are picked by the NRHA. Additionally, the top four riders from the Intercollegiate Horseshow Association (IHSA) Western National Championship have been invited to participate as well.

"It's an honor to have Holly representing us this year at the NRHA Derby," western coach Trista Adkins said. "She is very talented and will without a doubt represent SMU and program well."

The NRHA Derby, which hosts the Collegiate Reining Championship in conjunction with the NCEA, runs for one week each summer in Oklahoma City and showcases the world's best reining horses in the four to six year age range. The NRHA holds the Collegiate Reining Championship at the Derby, and it gives some of the top NCEA Reining athletes a chance to compete on one of the biggest stages in equestrian. The Derby is one of two major events presented by the NRHA each year in Oklahoma City. For more information on this year's Derby, visit www.nrhaderby.com.
Collegiate Reining Championship 12-rider field:
 
NCEA first-team Reining All-Americans
Taylor Brown-Fresno State
Caroline Gute-South Carolina
Hannah Mitchell-Oklahoma State
Claudia Spreng-Georgia
 
Riders from IHSA Western National Championship
Kristen Wesoja-Cazenovia College
Michelle McDowell-Grand Valley State University
Lauren King-Middle Tennessee State University
Mark Mowbray-St. Andrews Equestrian program
 
Riders selected by NRHA
Julia Spreng-Georgia
Kendall Harper-Georgia
Jaci Marley-Texas A&M
Holly Lansidel-SMU