Former UMC Golden Eagle Krueger Returns as Equestrian Assistant Coach

CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston and athletic director Stephanie Helgeson have announced the hiring of former UMC western equestrian team member Kayla Krueger as assistant women’s equestrian coach. Krueger was a member of the Golden Eagle equestrian team from 2009-12.

“I feel very confident that Kayla will be a wonderful asset to the UMC equestrian team,” said UMC head equestrian coach Brooke Leininger. “Kayla competed for three years for the UMC equestrian team and was team captain during her last season. She understands the student-athlete experience, as well as the vision and future of the team, and I am very excited to bring her on board.”

Krueger was an accomplished rider for the western team during her three years with the Golden Eagles. She advanced to the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Western Semifinals in Findlay, Ohio as a junior where she placed sixth in the Advanced Horsemanship division. Krueger helped the Golden Eagles take fifth place overall as a team at the IHSA Western Semifinals in 2011.

Krueger has worked with horses in different capacities. During the summer of 2011 she worked at Briggs Show Horses in Pilot Point, Texas. At UMC, Krueger worked as a stable hand for the UMC equine facility. She also worked as a horse riding instructor for five years at Camp Birchwood in Laporte, Minn. and worked as a stable hand at Rocky Meadow Farm for seven years in Guthrie, Minn. This past year she has been working as a trainer in Montana.

Krueger, originally from Walker, Minn., graduated in the spring of 2012 with a bachelor of science in equine science with an emphasis in agricultural business. Krueger will begin her position as assistant equestrian coach in August. She replaces Nicky Overgaard who will remain at the University of Minnesota Crookston as an instructor in the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department.