The UTM equestrian team put together some of its best individual performances of the season in its first two competitions of the spring, held this past weekend at the Ned McWherter Agricultural Pavilion.
On Friday, the Skyhawks dominated to the tune of a 17-3 victory over Delaware State. The following day, UTM pushed five-time national champion Georgia, ranked No. 6 in the latest NCEA polls, to the limit for a tie before the Bulldogs posted a narrow tiebreaker win (767.5-725 raw points).
“What an awesome performance we had,” UTM head coach Meghan Corvin said. “We knew it would take near perfection to upend the Bulldogs and our Skyhawks rose to the occasion. Regardless of the final score, our ladies without a doubt had their best performance yet. We had a few minor mistakes and those were what cost us at the end of the day. We are continuously telling our student-athletes they are national contenders and Saturday proves that.”
The Skyhawks were paced by a resounding performance in Hunterseat in both competitions. Overall, UTM’s Hunterseat riders outscored its opposition by a commanding 15-4 margin with three MOP’s.
Against Delaware State, UTM swept the equitation matchup. Kaylan Herbst (76 points), Hunter Ralston (79), Mykaela Van Selus (75), Erin Douglas (69) and Reid Rickett (79) each accounted for points while Ralston brought home MOP accolades.
In equitation over fences, the Skyhawks were led by Rickett’s 84-point ride which led her to MOP honors. Ralston (82), Nora Wilson (80) and Caitlyn Epperson (79) also emerged victorious to give UTM a 9-1 advantage in Hunterseat.
UTM also set the tone in Western by sweeping the Horsemanship event. Kenzie Perry (64.5), Cora Rogalski (71.5), Jordan Elmore (70.5), Brittany Woodard (72, MOP accolades) and Laurel Ellzey (69.5) each captured a point for the Skyhawks.
Katie Kallevig, Melanie Aiosa and Laney Hixson each clinched points for UTM in reining. Kallevig put together a 65-point ride, while Aiosa and Hixson were responsible for rides of 70 and 69.5 points, respectively.
A strong effort in equitation got the Skyhawks off to a fast start against Georgia. Herbst (72), Rickett (78, MOP) and Van Selus (76) all registered points while Ralston’s 78-point ride earned a tie.
The Skyhawks had a repeat performance in equitation over fences, edging Georgia by a 3-2 margin. Epperson’s 78 points, Rickett’s 80 points and Ralston’s 78 points all led to points for UTM to make the overall score 6-3 after the Hunterseat round.
In horsemanship, Ellzey tallied 71.5 points to earn a point while Rogalski’s 70.5-point ride earned the Skyhawks a tie.
Megan Marie Foley gave UTM a point in reining with 68.5 points while Knight captured MOP honors with 74 points.
The Skyhawks return to action on March 7-8 when they host Minnesota-Crookston and No. 1 South Carolina.
