MARTIN, Tenn. – Five different University of Tennessee at Martin riders combined for six career-high scores today but the No. 5 Oklahoma State Cowgirls claimed a slim 12-7 win in a battle between two of the best equestrian teams in the nation.
The No. 10 ranked Skyhawks saw Bridget Vieau nab her first career MOP honor today as the graduate out of Syracuse, NY put together a career-best 94-point effort in flat, defeating her counterpart by 10 points.
UT Martin earned two victories in fences, two wins in flat, two triumphs in reining and one victory (plus a tie) in horsemanship.
Ranking right behind Vieau’s flat MOP ride was sophomore Gabby Adams, who dialed up a career-high 93 points for a 10-point margin of victory. The Burton, Ohio native also claimed a convincing win in fences to go 2-0 on the day after another career-high performance of 85 points.
Elizabeth Becker set a career-high with 86 points on the way to a fences victory, claiming her third win of the season and second triumph in that event in 24 hours in the process.
In the Western discipline, Logan Putvinski improved to 4-0 on the season in reining with a season-high score of 71 points. Elise Mason also won her second reining decision of the weekend with 70 points. Kailyn Veale additionally picked up her second victory in as many days with 75 points in horsemanship.
Kate Davis and Lillian Laney each managed career-high scores of 76 points in horsemanship. Davis’ score was good enough for a draw while Laney’s tally was defeated by 0.5 points. Mia McAfoos and Lexi Bailey completed the Skyhawks’ horsemanship lineup with matching scores of 67.5 points apiece.
In reining, Aubrey Malone set a season-high with 70.5 points while Davis (68.5 points, defeated by 0.5 points) and Bailey (65 points) rounded out UT Martin’s lineup.
Emerson Maier (79 points), Kate Mills (76) and Audrey Morris (40) filled out the Skyhawk lineup in fences while Lydia Jordan (78), Morris (69) and Becker (68) occupied the scoring five slots in flat.
UT Martin concludes its three-meet homestand next Saturday, Oct. 26 when it hosts current No. 1 Auburn at the Ned McWherter Agricultural Complex.
