By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
MARTIN, Tenn. – The first home and Eastern College Athletic Conference meet of the 2023-24 campaign was a rousing success for the University of Tennessee at Martin equestrian squad as the Skyhawks collected a sizeable 15-5 triumph over South Dakota State.
UT Martin received three MOP’s in the meet as Sydney Hott (fences), Ava Newsom (horsemanship) and Emma Schaefer (reining) took top honors in their respective events.
As a team, the Skyhawks reeled off eight wins in the Western discipline (four apiece in horsemanship and reining) while adding seven victories in the Jumping Seat discipline (four in fences, three in flat).
Hott’s season-high 84 points in fences led the charge for UT Martin as she racked up her fourth career MOP in that event. Haley Kane’s season-best 82 points were good enough for a head-to-head victory while Gabby Adams picked up her first collegiate victory behind a 79-point effort. Kate Mills earned her team-best second win in as many tries with 77 points while Elizabeth Becker also represented the Skyhawks with a season-high 81 points.
In flat, Hott accumulated 83 points, tying Sophia Sundem (82 points) for the team lead in that category after both UT Martin riders picked up victories. Becker established a career-high 81 points on the way to the win while Kane and Bridget Vieau each set season-highs with 78 and 76 points, respectively.
Newsom stole the show in horsemanship as the freshman out of Lebanon, Ind. chalked up a career-best 73 points on the way to MOP status. Lexi Bailey tallied her team-high second win of the fall behind a season-best 74.5-point performance while Kate Davis (season-high 74 points) and Mia McAfoos (72 points) both rolled to victories. Schaefer rounded out the Skyhawk lineup with 68 points.
Coming away with her second career MOP in reining was Schaefer, who pieced together a season-best 69.5 points. Logan Putvinski generated her team-high second win with a season-best 71 points while Aubrey Malone (70 points) and Davis (67) both established season-high scores on the way to victories. Bailey’s 65.5 points completed UT Martin’s lineup.
The Skyhawks face a quick turnaround as they will host No. 2 Auburn tomorrow at 10 a.m. in the Ned McWherter Agricultural Complex.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information
