TOWNSEND NAMED ARIAT ALL-AMERICAN

South Dakota State senior Cassandra Townsend was named Thursday to the National Collegiate Equestrian Association's 2022-23 Ariat All-America Reining Team.

An Andover native, Townsend earned a spot on the second team after compiling a 7-3 record in head-to-head competition during the 2022-23 regular season. She was honored as reining Most Outstanding Performer in three meets this past fall.

Townsend previously was an honorable mention Ariat All-America selection during the 2020-21 season.

The top five riders per event were selected and named the Ariat First-Team All-America by the NCEA Selection Committee. The next five riders per event earned Second Team honors. Honorable mention honorees were selected via the established criteria below.

There shall be no limit on how many riders receive this award, provided they meet the following criteria:

Must have a 67 percent or higher winning percentage, excluding ties
Compete in a minimum of two-thirds of team's NCEA qualifying regular season
Have at least an adjusted NRS score of:
- 85 for flat
- 90 for fences
- 80 for horsemanship
- 75 for reining

2022-23 ARIAT ALL-AMERICA TEAMS
Fences
First Team
Sydney Berube, TCU
Ellie Ferrigno, Auburn
Augusta Iwasaki, SMU
Ashleigh Scully, TCU
Ava Stearns, Auburn

Second Team
Katherine Atherton, Sweet Briar
Isabella Baxter, TCU
Riley Hogan, Oklahoma State
Sydney North, Oklahoma State
Sophee Steckbeck, Auburn

Honorable Mention
Jordan Allen, South Carolina
Ana Bertozzi, Fresno State
Naomi Dachis, Sweet Briar
Julia Gilman, UT Martin
Emma Pacyna, Oklahoma State
Mia Poppinga, Sacred Heart
Emma Reichow, Georgia
Carly Sweeney, UC Davis

Flat
First Team
Ceci Bresch, Georgia
Victoria Croston, Delaware State
Sophia Pilla, Georgia
Ashleigh Scully, TCU
Dominika Silvestri, Baylor

Second Team
Madigan Eppink, SMU
Sierra Gundersen, UC Davis
Trinity Hammerschmidt, South Carolina
Catalina Peralta, Georgia
Kelsey Quinn, Bridgewater

Honorable Mention
Nora Andrews, Georgia
Katherine Atherton, Sweet Briar
Olivia Brown, Delaware State
Emma Engel, SMU
Wyette Felton, Sweet Briar
Margeret Franke, UC Davis
Kacie Freeburg, Sweet Briar
Marin Gilliland, UC Davis
Hensley Humphries, SMU
Emma Kurtz, Auburn
Madison Mitchell, Baylor
Mary-Grace Segars, Auburn

Horsemanship
First Team
Nya Kearns, SMU
Jessica McAllister, TCU
Giorgia Medows, TCU
Maddie Spak, Auburn
Mallory Vroegh, SMU

Second Team
Lily Anderson, SMU
Cori Cansdale, Texas A&M
Mattie Dukes, TCU
Claire McDowall, Oklahoma State
Jojo Roberson, Oklahoma State

Honorable Mention
Alexa Black, SMU
Payton Boutelle, TCU
Shea Graham, TCU
Alex Grogan, Delaware State
Alexis Robinson, Texas A&M
Jillian Stopperich, Georgia
Alexia Tordoff, Auburn
Kersten Zehner, Delaware State

Reining
First Team
Lisa Bricker, Texas A&M
Mattie Dukes, TCU
Ariana Gray, Texas A&M
Keesa Luers, Texas A&M
Jessica McAllister, TCU

Second Team
Chalyce Head, SMU
Giorgia Medows, TCU
Logan Putvinski, UT Martin
Aidan Stetzer, Delaware State
Cassandra Townsend, South Dakota State

Honorable Mention
Kate Buchanan, Auburn
Quincee Clark, Oklahoma State
Lauren Hanson, Texas A&M
Jojo Roberson, Oklahoma State
Isabella Tesmer, Auburn

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Players Mentioned

Cassandra Townsend

Completed Event: Equestrian versus #1 UC Davis on March 28, 2026 , Loss , 7, to, 12

Completed Event: Equestrian versus #3 UT Martin on March 27, 2026 , Win , 10, to, 9

Completed Event: Equestrian versus Delaware State on March 6, 2026 , Win , 9, to, 6

Completed Event: Equestrian at South Carolina on March 6, 2026 , Loss , 4, to, 15

Completed Event: Equestrian versus UC Davis on February 21, 2026 , Loss , 9, to, 10

Completed Event: Equestrian versus Delaware State on February 7, 2026 , Win , 11, to, 8

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