Stephen F. Austin
South Carolina
South Carolina Edges Ladyjacks
3/25/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Equestrian
March 25, 2006
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack equestrian team put the wraps on its inaugural season Saturday with a home show against defending national champion, South Carolina. The upstart Ladyjacks had a veteran South Carolina team on the ropes before a strong effort in the final event of the day gave the Gamecocks a narrow 1,086-1,063 victory.
South Carolina needed a 250-161 verdict in the over fences competition to win the English portion of the show, 548-511, and take the 23-point overall victory. Despite the loss, first-year SFA head coach Leigh Heusner was pleased with her young team's performance.
"That's the best they've shown this year," Heusner said of the Ladyjacks. "They finally took what they've been doing in practice and put it into the competition. I knew they had it in them.
"Overall, I'd say that everybody did really well. The mistakes we've made in the past, we corrected those. Everybody rode well today, especially our Western girls. We won Western, and that was a big deal for us."
The Ladyjacks opened the show with a win in the Western half of the competition, thanks to a strong showing in reining. Jamie Melgares and Jenny Martin each posted an 83 to tie for the high score, and Monika Brindley added a 71, giving SFA a 237-216 win in the event. That performance gave SFA a 552-538 verdict in the Western competition.
"Our senior, Jamie Melgares, showed very strongly for us in horsemanship, reining and equitation on the flat," Heusner said. "She had a really good show."
In western horsemanship, South Carolina edged the Ladyjacks, 322-315. Kayla Krambeck tied with USC's Michelle Grah for the high-point honors with a score of 86. Martin's ride was scored an 80, Melgares turned in a 78, Brindley scored a 71, and Tricia Sutton scored 64.
"Kayla had a really nice ride in horsemanship, and Jenny Martin performed great in both Western events," Heusner said.
SFA opened the English portion of the show with a win in equitation on the flat. The Ladyjacks padded their overall lead with a 350-298 win in the flat competition. Catherine Brennan led SFA with a score of 76. Alex Berry posted a 74, Melgares scored 69, Kristine Rice earned a score of 67, and Alex Fincher scored 64.
The difference-maker was South Carolina's performance in equitation over fences, the final event of the day. The Gamecocks posted a 91, 82 and 77 to notch a 250-161 verdict in the event. Berry's 88 was the top Ladyjack score in the event. Brennan tallied a 73, and Fincher posted a 60.
"Our English girls rode well today, but South Carolina had a really good day, and they've always been tough to beat in English," Heusner said.
SFA's Amy Hilfer has qualified to compete in the IHSA regional championships, scheduled for Sunday in College Station, Texas. Saturday's show concluded the season for the rest of the Ladyjacks.
"Overall, it was a super effort," Heusner said. "It's a very promising way to end our first season. I think we're going to be very tough next year."
- SFA -
