April 12, 2003

Manhattan, Kan. - Kansas State English rider, Julie Hufft, was the lone first-place individual finisher at the Zone 9 competition Saturday morning hosted by the University of Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind. This was Hufft's fifth first-place ribbon of the season in walk/trot/canter and qualifies her to ride at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association National competition. Teammate Jessica Gittleman placed second in walk/trot/canter and qualified for nationals. To qualify for IHSA National competition a rider must place in the top two.

"I'm very happy with the way the women rode today," assistant coach Meghan Cunningham said. "I could not be more pleased that we were able to win the team competition and advance to IHSA Nationals."

The Wildcats won the zone team standings with 48 points and qualified as a team for nationals. Each rider will serve as the K-State point rider for their chosen class. Natalie Bennett (intermediate flat), Anne Brammeier (walk/trot), Lauren Demmel (intermediate fences), Jenae Grossart (novice flat), Summer Hamil (novice fences), Natalie Poholsky (walk/trot/canter) and Allison Woodworth (open fences and open flat) will comprise K-State's team. Woodworth will also be competing at IHSA Nationals for the USAE/Cacchoine Cup, May 1-5 in Murfreesboro, Tenn. She will be competing against all regional high-point rider winners.

The Zone 9 Western competition will be Sunday morning starting at 8 a.m. near Terre Haute, Ind. The Western team qualified four individuals for the competition which will be hosted by St. Mary's of the Woods. It has already qualified as a team for IHSA Nationals. Results will be available after the show at www.k-statesports.com