Local woman advances in horsemanship

Lexus Hoppes, granddaughter of Mike and Cindy Kobal of Lehighton and a 2015 graduate of Lehighton Area High School, is a student at Morrisville State College in New York, where she studies equine science.

Lexus started as a novice rider her freshman year for the Morrisville State Western Equestrian team and had many victories.

In her sophomore year, she was chosen to ride in the Collegiate Challenge hosted in Syracuse, New York, where she won level 2 horsemanship.

After a few season wins, she moved up to advanced horsemanship, procuring a spot at the Regional Championship Show in February.

Here she was named Regional Champion Novice Horsemanship, moving on to the semifinals championship hosted in Hamburg, New York in March. She advanced to finals to win third place.

This achievement advanced her to IHSA National Championship which was held in Lexington, Kentucky, from May 4-7.