DANBURY, Conn. – The Eastern College Athletic Conference announced its equestrian awards for October today and the University of Tennessee at Martin swept all six categories. Elizabeth Becker (fences), Gabby Adams (flat), Lexi Bailey (horsemanship) and Elise Mason (reining) each won Rider of the Month honors while Bridget Vieau (Standout Student-Athlete of the Month) and Rebel (Horse of the Month) also earned distinct recognition.
This round of ECAC monthly awards are the second in the career of Bailey (also winning in horsemanship in February 2024) while the Skyhawk trio of Becker, Adams and Mason each bring home this honor for the first time in their collegiate careers. Today’s announcement comes after each of the four UT Martin representatives have won a pair of ECAC Rider of the Week accolades in 2024-25.
Becker collected a 4-1 record in fences in October, leading the squad in head-to-head victories while averaging 82.6 points per outing. The senior out of Grosse Pointe, Mich. earned a MOP against ECAC rival UC Davis on Oct. 18 with an 84-point effort and followed that with a career-best 87 points on the way to a win over her counterpart from No. 1 Auburn on Oct. 26. She also added victories against her opponent from ECAC foe South Dakota State (78 points on Oct. 5) and No. 5 Oklahoma State (86 points on Oct. 19). She was named ECAC Rider of the Week on Oct. 22 and Oct. 29.
Hailing from Burton, Ohio, Adams also boasts a team-best 4-1 record while also accounting for a team-high 84.0 scoring average in flat. She has nabbed a pair of MOP’s as she received that title against ECAC rival South Dakota State (85 points on Oct. 5) and No. 1 Auburn (86 points on Oct. 26). Like Becker, the sophomore has reeled off four consecutive victories, including a remarkable career-best 93-point performance against No. 5 Oklahoma State (Oct. 19) and another triumph over ECAC foe UC Davis (Oct. 18). She was voted as ECAC Rider of the Week on Oct. 8 and Oct. 29.
A senior from Union Mills, Ind., Bailey has won both of the Skyhawks’ MOP’s in horsemanship this season, accomplishing that feat in back-to-back meets against ECAC rivals South Dakota State (74.5 points on Oct. 5) and UC Davis (career-high 77 points on Oct. 18). She is also responsible for a team-best 4-1 record in the event, claiming wins over No. 10 Fresno State (75 points on Oct. 5) and No. 1 Auburn (76 points on Oct. 26). For the season, she has put together a scoring average of 74.0 points per ride while claiming ECAC Rider of the Week status on Oct. 8 and Oct. 29.
Mason is undefeated since entering UT Martin’s reining lineup before the second meet of the season, going a perfect 4-0 against the likes of South Dakota State (72.5 points on Oct. 5), UC Davis (70.5 points on Oct. 18), No. 5 Oklahoma State (70 points on Oct. 19) and No. 1 Auburn (career-best 73 points on Oct. 26). The sophomore was crowned with an MOP medal in the South Dakota State and Auburn meets while the Olympia, Wash. native additionally boasts a team-high 71.5 scoring average – piling up ECAC Rider of the Week awards on Oct. 22 and Oct. 29.
A native of Syracuse, NY, Vieau is in her fifth year as a Skyhawk – competing in Jumping Seat while also serving as a graduate assistant on the coaching staff. She graduated with a degree in management while currently pursuing a Master’s degree in business administration and teaching a beginner horsemanship class on campus. Earlier this month, she was selected to travel to London, England to work a pair of NFL games. Upon her return, she received a career-best score of 94 points in flat against No. 5 Oklahoma State, dialing up MOP accolades to help win ECAC Rider of the Week honors.
Rebel was donated to UT Martin by Matt Willard in January 2024. Although he is new to the flat court, his beautiful extended trot has been on full display at the Ned McWherter Agricultural Complex in Skyhawk home meets against UC Davis (Oct. 18), No. 5 Oklahoma State (Oct. 19) and No. 1 Auburn (Oct. 26). His top scores came in the aforementioned Oklahoma State matchup as he helped guide Vieau to a career-best 94-point score and MOP accolades.
The Skyhawks complete their fall season later this month, traveling to Felton, Del. for matchups against conference foes Delaware State (Nov. 15) and South Dakota State (Nov. 16).
