UT MARTIN UPENDS JACKS IN ECAC SEMIFINALS

Thursday, March 23

Brookings, S.D.

4 p.m./9 a.m.

South Dakota State University

UT Martin

Paige Wellendorf ECAC Action Teaser 2023-1

Photo by: Dave Eggen/Inertia

3/24/2023 7:46:00 PM | Equestrian

Top-seeded UT Martin carried the momentum from a sweep in fences to pull away from South Dakota State in the Western events for a 14-6 victory in head-to-head competition Friday in the semifinals of the ECAC Equestrian Championship at DeHaan Equestrian Center.

The Skyhawks advance to face third-seeded UC Davis in the championship matchup at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Fourth-seeded SDSU began the day with a 3-2 lead after flat competition Thursday afternoon. Most Outstanding Performer Hannah Steele led the Jackrabbits with a score of 144 to win her head-to-head matchup, while Rachel Darby (143) and Samantha Hunsecker added point-producing performances.

UT Martin gained the upper hand with its sweep in fences as all five Skyhawk riders posted scores of 157 or higher. Sydney Hott paced UT Martin with a score of 164, tallying 82 points from each of the two judges en route to earning MOP honors.

Hunsecker turned in the top score for the Jackrabbits with a 158, but was edged by Julia Gilman's 161 for the Skyhawks.

UT Martin claimed four of five points in horsemanship, then added three more points in reining to complete its victory. Paige Wellendorf was the lone Jackrabbit winner in horsemanship with a score of 146.5, while Isabelle Riggs and Cassandra Townsend were the SDSU winners in reining as both riders posted scores of 136.5

Lexi Bailey of UT Martin was named MOP in both Western events after scoring 147 in horsemanship and 142.5 in reining.

SDSU ended its season with a 4-8 record in head-to-head competition.

UT MARTIN 14, SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 6
Fences
*Sydney Hott (UTM) def. Rachel Darby (SDSU), 164-143 [Snowy]
Julia Gilman (UTM) def. Samantha Hunsecker (SDSU), 161-158 [Elliot]
Haley Kane (UTM) def. Hannah Steele (SDSU), 160-0 (Steele DQ'd) [Jameson]
Tyler Anderson (UTM) def. Julia Werkhoven (SDSU), 157-148 [Eddie]
Elizabeth Becker (UTM) def. Ella Domenicone (SDSU), 159-144 [Enrique]
Flat
Haley Kane (UTM) def. Julia Werkhoven (SDSU), 131-128 [Deli]
Julia Gilman (UTM) def. Virginia Klecker (SDSU), 139-116 [Sweet Pea]
Samantha Hunsecker (SDSU) def. Sophia Sundem (UTM), 109-97 [Joey]
Rachel Darby (SDSU) def. Rileigh Weiss (UTM), 143-127 [Merritt]
*Hannah Steele (SDSU) def. Sydney Hott (UTM), 144-103 [Archie]
Horsemanship
Paige Wellendorf (SDSU) def. Paige Benson (UTM), 146.5-143.5 [Marley]
Kate Davis (UTM) def. Callyn Fox (SDSU), 142.5-137 [Milo]
*Lexi Bailey (UTM) def. Grace Blake (SDSU), 147-141 [GW]
Emma Schaefer (UTM) def. Annika Hanson (SDSU), 144-143.5 [George]
Keely Seiter (UTM) def. Shelby Cochran (SDSU), 143.5-140 [Knight]
Reining
Isabelle Riggs (SDSU) def. Logan Putvinski (UTM), 136.5-128 [Jellybean]
*Lexi Bailey (UTM) def. Lydia Loken (SDSU), 142.5-135 [Corona]
Emma Schaefer (UTM) def. Grace Blake (SDSU), 139-135 [Leah]
Cassandra Townsend (SDSU) def. Aubrey Malone (UTM), 136.5-131.5 [Bunny]
Kate Davis (UTM) def. Adisyn Kuxhaus (SDSU), 138-134 [Lucy]

Notes: * denotes MOP; horse name in brackets

-GoJacks.com-