By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
FELTON, Del. – The University of Tennessee at Martin equestrian squad came close to upsetting the No. 1 ranked team in the nation today but the Skyhawks came up just short in a 9-6 decision at the hands of TCU.
Ranked 10th in the latest edition of the National Collegiate Equestrian Association poll, UT Martin more than held its own against the Horned Frogs in the neutral-site meet. The Skyhawks equaled TCU in flat (2-2) and reining (2-2) while posting a win and a tie in horsemanship. UT Martin also claimed a victory in fences but ultimately it wasn’t enough as the Horned Frogs registered the 9-6 win, barely edging out the Skyhawks in raw points (1,239.5 to 1,236.5).
Sydney Hott continued her remarkable start to the 2022-23 campaign as the UT Martin junior earned MOP accolades in flat. The Defiance, Mo. accounted for her third overall MOP of the young season (second in flat) after a career-best 93-point performance. That marked one of five new career-high scores set by the Skyhawks on the day.
In flat, Julia Gilman nabbed her second win of the season with 84 points. Haley Kane ran into some tough luck as her career-best 90 points was defeated by a score of 91 by her head-to-head competitor. Sophia Sundem (83 points) became the third UT Martin rider to establish a new career-high score in flat, where the Skyhawks outscored TCU in overall points (350-349).
Logan Putvinski secured a victory for UT Martin in reining, accumulating 71 points. Kate Davis also collected a win with a 68-point effort as the Skyhawks split the four points awarded in the event. Aubrey Malone collected a career-best 72.5 points but lost by 0.5 points in her individual matchup. Lexi Bailey (65 points) also represented UT Martin in reining as the Skyhawks evened up the Horned Frogs in raw score (276.5-276.5).
UT Martin’s horsemanship portion of the event was highlighted by a victory out of Emma Schaefer, who compiled 74.5 points. Paige Benson was also awarded 74.5 points, which was good enough for a tie. Kate Davis managed a career-best score of 75.5 but was defeated by one point in her head-to-head showdown. Keely Seiter’s 73.5-point performance rounded out the Skyhawk lineup.
Gilman came away with her second win in as many tries after a 76-point effort in fences, which also served as her second victory of the 2022-23 season. Hott posted a team-high score of 82 but fell by a single point in her head-to-head matchup. Kane and Elizabeth Becker additionally took part in the event with scores of 80 and 74 points, respectively.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information