Championship Central
DALLAS (SMU) -- The SMU equestrian team put together a dominant victory on the opening day of the 2018 United Equestrian Conference Championship, as the top-seeded Mustangs toppled No. 4-seed South Dakota State, 15-1, Friday at the Dallas Equestrian Center.
With the win, the Mustangs (9-5) advanced to the UEC final and will take on No. 3 seed Fresno State at approximately noon CT.
"As I said all year, when all four disciplines come together as a unit, this team is pretty phenomenal," SMU head coach
Carol Gwin said. "It was very exciting to see all four sides produce an event win because this is what I have known this team is capable of. Shout-out to coach
Megan Southam and coach
McKenzie Lantz for having our team prepared and encouraging them to ride with confidence."
The Hunt Seat corps had another outstanding showing for SMU and did not give up a point the whole day, coming away with an 8-0 mark.
Equitation Over Fences kicked off the meet with a 4-0 sweep against the Jackrabbits.
Vivian Yowan opened scoring for the Mustangs with a 170-155 win over Taylor Duerr. The UEC Equitation Over Fences Rider of the Year
Nora Gray recorded a 150, to best Sydney House's 121.
Brett Burlington edged Jacey Chorlton, 153-146, before
Hayley Banas secured the sweep with a 166-78 rout of Jessica Martinez.
Haley Zimmerman opened Equitation on the Flat with a 132-115 victory over Claire Garduno, 132-115, before Yowan used a discipline-high 160 to cruise past Taylor Duerr, 160-112. Gray won her second point of the day with a 147-117 win over Jessica Martinez.
Kirsten Ostling, the UEC Equitation on the Flat Freshman of the Year, closed out the event by besting Chorlton 137-98.
In the western arena, the Mustangs rolled past South Dakota State, 7-1. The SMU Reining crew picked up a four-point sweep, while the Horsemanship side won 3-1.
Olivia Pakula won the first reining point by way of a 146-141 win over Catelyn Hall, before
Madison Steed edged Miranda Sullivan, 141.5-137.5. Sophomore
Holly Lansidel used a 143, to knocked off Mariah Wright, 143-140. Senior
Keagan Snively posted a 139.5-137 win to keep the Mustangs undefeated in the event.
In Horsemanship,
Michaela Dinger beat Rylee Streit 147-144 to open the event.
Ashley Mauney followed with a 146-121.5 win over Jordan Gates, before
Haylee Schoonover scored a discipline-high 149.5 to best Mariah Wright, 149.5-140.
"Tomorrow is another day and we will treat it just like another meet. You are only as good as the way you perform that day."
No. 3-seed Fresno State earned a spot in the UEC Championship round following a 10-6 win over second-seeded UT Martin. The Bulldogs beat the Skyhawks, 5-3, in both the Hunt Seat and Western arenas.
