Stephen F. Austin
South Dakota St.
Equestrian Edged in Home Debut
11/20/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Equestrian
Nov. 20, 2005
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack equestrian team rode neck-and-neck with South Dakota State in SFA's first home show, but the Ladyjacks were done in by a few minor mistakes, as they dropped the NCAA format dual show, 1,030-1,008.5. The Ladyjacks had one ride in each half of the competition disqualified for pattern breaks, hurting an otherwise solid performance in their home debut.
"We had some really good rides today," SFA head coach Leigh Heusner said. "We made some rookie mistakes, but we rode through them."
SFA's best performance of the day came in the flat portion of the hunt seat competition. The Ladyjacks won the event, 380.5-298.5, as four different SFA riders scored in the 80s. Cat Brennan was the high scorer for the event with 84 points. Kristine Rice trailed closely with 83.5 points. Paige Wiley scored 81 points, Rebecca Harrison tallied 80.5 points, and Lindsey Gaston scored 51.5 points.
"Some of our girls really stepped it up and made an incredible effort," said assistant coach Jennifer Wiggins, who works primarily with hunt seat riders.
South Dakota State opened the competition by winning the over fences portion of the hunt seat competition, 232.5-147.5. SFA had one score disqualified for missing a jump, but Alex Fincher and Alex Berry got the Ladyjacks out to a solid start. Fincher's ride was scored a 71, and Berry turned in a 76.5, good enough for second place in the event. The Ladyjacks finished the hunt seat competition just three points behind South Dakota State, 531-528.
"The small mistakes hurt us in hunt seat and in the overall scoring," Wiggins said. "We just had some minor errors that need to be fixed, but, for the most part, I thought we rode really well."
In the western portion of the show, South Dakota State took a 499-480.5 victory. The Jackrabbits opened the western riding by winning the reining competition, 140-135.5. Each squad had one ride disqualified. Jamie Melgares led the Ladyjacks with her score of 68.5. Monika Brindley scored a 67 on her ride.
In the horsemanship portion of the competition, Brindley scored 76 points to finish tied with teammate Jenny Martin and two SDSU riders for the event's high-point title. South Dakota State won the event, 359-345. Melgares scored a 71 for the Ladyjacks, Lauren Macomber turned in a ride of 66, and Tricia Sutton scored 56 points.
The Ladyjacks will return to action on Dec. 3-4 when they travel to Stillwater, Okla. for a hunt seat show at Oklahoma State.
- SFA -
