Equestrian Ends Fall with Two Wins

The Wildcats (4-2) were impressive in both disciplines Friday as Courtney Watters rode her way to MVP honors in horsemanship and helped the Western squad to a 6-1 win over UT-Martin and a 6-2 decision against Delaware State. The Hunter Seat squad cruised to a 6-2 win over Delaware State, while dropping the tiebreaker against UT-Martin after riding to a 4-4 draw.

Watters won her third and fourth straight matchups on Friday en route to her first MVP honor of the season in horsemanship, while Mikaela Sundgren improved to a perfect 6-0 on the season with two wins. Laura Browne moved to 4-2 on the year after splitting her two rides Friday, and team captain Alyssa Freeman (5-1) added two wins of her own to lead the Western squad.

In reining, Morgan Campbell paced the Wildcats with two wins on Friday to improve to 4-1-1 on the year, while Kaylee Stout, Alecia Zimbelman and Tara Hallen each went 1-1 on the day.

"Today was a good mental test for our girls and a great end to the fall season," head coach Casie Lisabeth said. "Everyone stepped up to the plate and made some adjustments throughout the day. The Western riders were all outstanding and really let their hard work shine in the show pen. Courtney Watters had an exceptional ride and was well-deserving of the Horsemanship MVP. I am really proud of how far she has come and was really glad to see her execute such a great ride today."

The Hunter Seat squad was paced by the equitation over fences riders as Kendall Marvin, Bridget Doyle and Katie Mellon, now 4-1 on the year, each went 2-0 on Friday to pace the Wildcats. Marvin scored a 79 on her ride, while Doyle recorded a 78 and Mellon a 77.5. Jen Rawle went 1-1 with a win over Delaware State.

Paige Sullivan led the Cats in equitation on the flat with two wins to up her season record to 4-0, while Kali Yates picked up the other win for the Wildcats in the discipline.

"This was a good way to end the season," said Associate Head Coach Gardner Powell. "Our equitation over fences riders came through in a big way, beating both squads. Paige Sullivan won both her points, to close a consistent season. Everyone is ready for a break, but as a new coach, I am happy to end the semester on a high note."

K-State will open its spring schedule on February 6 when it travels to Stillwater, Okla., to face Oklahoma State.