By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
WACO, Texas – The University of Tennessee at Martin equestrian team remained at No. 10 in the latest National Collegiate Equestrian Association rankings, which were unveiled today.
After four meets took place nationwide during the season-opening weekend of Sept. 22-23, only two changes were made from last week’s preseason poll. TCU is the new No. 1 team in the nation and is followed by No. 2 Auburn, No. 3 SMU, No. 4 Texas A&M, No. 5 Oklahoma State, No. 6 Georgia, No. 7 Baylor, No. 8 South Carolina, No. 9 UC Davis and the No. 10 Skyhawks.
Today’s announcement marks the second time in as many weeks in 2023-24 that UT Martin has appeared in the national top-10 poll. This comes after the Skyhawks were ranked 14 times (in 17 polls) last season.
UT Martin begins its 2023-24 campaign with a pair of road matchups at Southeastern Conference rivals. The Skyhawks will officially open the season this Friday, Sept. 29 with a 9 a.m. CST meet against No. 8 South Carolina in Blythewood, SC. UT Martin will then make the 184-mile drive west to take on No. 6 Georgia at 11 a.m. CST on Saturday, Sept. 30 on SEC Network+.
In last season’s home matchup against South Carolina, Lexi Bailey picked up MOP accolades in reining with a 70-point performance. Emmy Reed (84 points) earned a head-to-head win in fences while the Skyhawk trio of Sydney Hott (86 points), Haley Kane (82) and Rileigh Weiss (80) picked up points in flat. In addition to Bailey, UT Martin compiled points in reining behind strong efforts from Logan Putvinski (70 points) and Kate Davis (68.5).
Saturday’s matchup will be the Skyhawks’ first meet against the Bulldogs since March 5, 2022. Davis is the only UT Martin returner to chalk up a victory against Georgia, claiming a point in horsemanship via a 74.5-point ride in that meet.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information
