Final Scoresheet

DALLAS (SMU) – The SMU equestrian team completed its spring debut weekend in sure fashion, holding Delaware State to a single point or less in all four stages of competition.

In Horsemanship, the Mustangs (7-4, 4-1 ECAC) opened the day with a five-point sweep over the Hornets, with senior Lily Anderson claiming MOP honors and drawing the event's high score of a 75.5. SMU edged out the opposition to claim the overall Horsemanship win 369.5-364.5.

For the second straight meet, SMU claimed four of the event's five points in Equitation on the Flat, with senior Madigan Eppink earning a high score of 80.5. Hensley Humphries, Taylor Madden, and Katy Merchant all claimed individual wins, with Humphries and Madden ending the weekend's doubleheader undefeated in the category.

The Mustangs claimed overall victory in the event while compiling a 382 raw score to Delaware State's 352, ending the first half of competition with SMU holding a steep 9-1 lead.

In the second half of competition, four points were claimed in favor of the Mustangs in Equitation over Fences, where Alex Pielet led the SMU lineup with an 80-point performance. Devin Seek, Elli Yeager, and Taylor Madden rounded out the Mustangs' column, with 79, 77, and 69 respective totals, all good for individual wins. All four riders claimed their second-straight win to open the spring season.

The day's meet closed with the Reining competition, in which SMU riders claimed three total points off winning performances from Taylor Zimmerman, Maria Richards, and sophomore Chalyce Head. Head, the ECAC Reining Freshman Rider of the Year, totaled 73 points in the event, good for MOP recognition and claiming the Mustangs' second win of the weekend in the category. Both Dani Latimer and Jill Pfisthner's 72.5 and 72-point performances in Reining tied their Delaware opposition, awarding no point to either group.

 "The entire team put forth a great effort this weekend, and I'm incredibly proud of them," said head coach Carol Gwin. "This was our first time hosting three meets in just as many days, and despite the workload, the team rode well.

"What I find particularly special about this team at this point in our season, is that everyone is capable of an MOP ride," Gwin said. "We've got a great group of riders wearing the SMU brand this season."

The Mustangs host TCU next Saturday at 10 p.m. at the Dallas Equestrian Center.