Final Scores

DALLAS (SMU) – The SMU Equestrian team opened the spring portion of its season in dominant fashion, earning a 16-4 win over UT Martin. The Mustangs' efforts were highlighted by MOP (Most Outstanding Player) runs for Nya Kearns, Alex Pielet, Miranda Seade, and Dani Latimer, sweeping the day's rider awards for SMU.

The Mustangs (6-4, 3-1 ECAC) won four of five total points in all four stages of the event, including the high score of the day (85.5) for junior Seade in the Flat.

SMU opened the day's competition with three individual wins in Fences over UT Martin opponents for five points or more, including Pielet's 79-73 MOP performance against Skyhawk Tyler Anderson, her third consecutive. Elli Yeager and Emma Jolly claimed their points with respective scores of 80 and 82 over their Skyhawk opposition. Devin Seek edged UT Martin's Elizabeth Baker with a 77-point performance to Baker's 76. SMU won the event with a final tally of 386 to UT Martin's 383.

Equitation on the Flat proved to be the Mustangs' most impressive showing of the day, as SMU claimed victory in the event with a 771.5 total score to UT Martin's 737. Seade and Madi Johnson both claimed scores over 80 points on the way to earning individual wins, along with Seade claiming MOP in the event. Hensley Humphries and Taylor Madden rounded out the scorecard for SMU, scoring 74.5 and 77.5, respectively.

In Horsemanship, Kearns' MOP performance led the way for the Mustangs in the event, carding a 75.5 over Katelyn Schultz' 66.5. Mallory Vroegh's 75-71.5 win over UT Martin's Paige Benson followed, along with Payton Neiberger and Lily Anderson both earning close wins to give SMU the final 4-1 tally. The Mustangs completed the event with a 363-point advantage to the Skyhawks' 350.

Reining closed out the event, where Latimer, along with Chalyce Head, Jill Pfisthner, and Taylor Zimmerman all earned their respective points over the Skyhawks, with Latimer claiming MOP honors in her third of the last five Mustangs' meets.

It's always difficult hosting three meets in as many days just two weeks back from break," head coach Carol Gwin said. "The team showed a high level of work ethic and determination to not only take good care of the animals, but ride well also and earn a win.

I'm very happy with the today's outcome, and hope to carry that momentum into Saturday."

The Mustangs aim to sweep the weekend's doubleheader, as they shift their focus toward hosting No. 7 Delaware State at 10 p.m. on Saturday at the Dallas Equestrian Center.
 
No. 6 Mustangs Open Spring Slate Against No. 9 UT Martin, No. 7 Delaware State