Winning by a nose, the ISU Horse Show Team finished ahead of the University of Wisconsin, Madison at regionals and is one step closer to competing at nationals.

The Hunt Seat team finished the season with 178 points, just three points ahead of their closest competitor.

“We came into the last show 20 points behind Madison,” said Jessica Katzman, sophomore in animal science. “We got ahead of them, and, after the judges triple checked the scores, we won by three points.”

The ISU Hunt Seat team has never qualified for Zones, the step before nationals, as a team before, said Katzman, captain of the team. Hunt seat, also known as English riding, involves both jumping and flat riding skills.

“This is a big deal for us,” she said. “For as small as we are, it’s a great accomplishment to win.”

The team’s top place finish at regionals qualifies Iowa State to compete at Zones as a team on Friday and Saturday at the University of Findlay in Ohio.

Meaghan McLoughlin, junior in geology and one of the eight team members going to Zones, said the team will be competing on a new level.

“Our biggest challenge will be the level of competition,” she said. “Our region competes at a lower level than what we will experience at Zones.”

McLoughlin said horses at the University of Findlay will also add a challenge to the competition.

“The horses are a lot different,” she said. “They are bigger, and they have a different feel to them. It’s like driving a small car and then driving a big [truck].”

Four teams will compete at Zones. The top three teams will advance to nationals held in Atlanta in early May. McLoughlin said the team has a good shot for qualifying for nationals.

The team is preparing for Zones by practicing at local stables and riding as many different horses as they can. Sean Cunningham, senior in animal science and Equestrian Club president, said extra practice has been a key to the team’s success this year.

“We have been able to practice once a week at Stage Coach Stables,” he said. “Last year we didn’t practice at all. It has been a big help to us this year.”

Excitement is building as the team prepares to drive Thursday to the University of Findlay.

“Our goals is to be in the top three teams, but we’re going to have fun,” Katzman said.