FRANKLIN FURNACE - For three Ohio University Southern students, this weekend holds more promise than just a weekend out of town.

They have dreams of excellence. They have dreams of a national championship. The three members of the OUS equine team, Emily Krach, Elizabeth Diamond and Jessica Reed, will compete in the National Equine Championship in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

"They will draw the name of a horse from a hat and then they try to get that horse to perform required maneuvers," said Janice Rosier, OUS equine studies instructor and coach.

"There is quite a bit of time and effort involved and it takes a lot of practice. I'm extremely proud of them."

Krach spent part of her Wednesday afternoon getting in that last practice session before heading to Tennessee.

"I usually don't get nervous until about an hour before," Krach said. "I'm most nervous about messing up my pattern."

She placed 10th in the nationals last year.

The students will leave Thursday and return Saturday.