LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The NM State equestrian team captured a 12-4 victory over UT Martin on Saturday to win the United Equestrian Conference Tournament at the New Mexico State Equestrian Center.
"I'm so proud of everyone on the team for this win," said head coach Robin Walters-Morris. "Each rider stepped up and competed in a way that NM State could be proud of. This was the right way to finish the season."
NM State vs. UT Martin The Aggies defeated UT Martin 5-3 in the hunter seat event.
Remington Willkie scored a 141 and
Karianna Knezevich and
Madison Brayman earned scores a 155 to each earn a point as NM State won 3-1 in equitation over fences.
Chelsea Brady scored a 141 and Brayman had a score of 130 in equitation on the flat as the team tied UT Martin 2-2 in the event.
NM State dominated the western event with a 7-1 victory.
Rianna Storey's score of 149.5,
Hallie Padilla's score of 145.5 and
Haylee Schoonover's score of 148.5 earned three points for the Aggies to give them a 3-1 win in horsemanship.
The Aggies swept the reining event 4-0.
Kimberly Ferrante earned a score of 136.5,
Haley Newkirk scored a 135.5,
Kyla Myers earned a score of 135 and
Jaimie Story scored a 138 to each receive a point the team's way to victory.
Tournament Awards First, Padilla scored a 140 for a point against Delaware State on Friday. The Las Cruces native then earned a point on Saturday against UT Martin to be named the United Equestrian Conference Tournament Most Outstanding Player in the event of horsemanship.
In addition to Padilla's MOP award, four NM State horses were honored after the weekend's competition. The horses were voted on by each team competing in the tournament. In equitation on the flat, Bea was named the Tournament's Most Outstanding Horse. Dawson earned the same honor for equitation over fences.
Two western horses were named the Tournament's Most Outstanding Horses as well. In horsemanship, Doc – Doc's Pay at the Bar earned the award, while Cupid – Cupid Caught Roo earned the honor in reining.
