DANBURY, Conn. – Lexi Bailey and Sophia Sundem, stars on the University of Tennessee at Martin equestrian program, were recognized as Eastern College Athletic Conference Riders of the Week today. Bailey achieved that accolade in horsemanship while Sundem received the award in flat.
Today’s announcement marks the 17th and 18th ECAC Rider of the Week honorees for the Skyhawks in 2023-24. Bailey has won this award five times (four in horsemanship) while Sundem collects her third ECAC weekly accolade this season.
Both Bailey and Sundem had big performances in No. 8 UT Martin’s trip to No. 6 Auburn last Saturday as that duo combined for half of the Skyhawks’ six head-to-head victories.
In horsemanship, Bailey piled up a team-best 75.5 points and topped her competitor by a full six points aboard Palmer. It marked her team-best sixth victory of the season as it was also a season-high tally for the junior out of Union Mills, Ind.
Sundem posted a four-point victory over her head-to-head opponent in flat, dialing up 80 points on Cantori. As a result, the senior from Carlsbad, Calif. generated her team-high sixth win of the 2023-24 campaign in that event.
On the season, Bailey has averaged 72.3 points over all 11 meets while garnering one MOP medal in horsemanship. Sundem has also taken part in all 11 meets in flat, boasting a team-high 79.7 scoring average with one MOP.
UT Martin returns to the arena on Friday, March 1 when it hosts Minnesota-Crookston on Senior Day.
