Oct. 6, 2002

Manhattan, Kan. - The Kansas State Western women's equestrian team tied for third on the second day of the Iowa State Show held Sunday morning at Stage Coach Stables. Senior Amanda Gigot posted first and second-place finishes respectively in open horsemanship and open reining to earn High-Point Rider honors. In each of the previous three shows this year, Gigot earned Reserve High-Point Rider. This is the second time this year that a Wildcat rider has earned that honor.

"Amanda did a great job again today," head coach Lindsay Breidenthal said. "She has really stepped it up and is competing on a much higher level than she did last year. She has confidence in her ability to ride and to ride well. Amanda is a key part of our team."

Junior Beverly Wilson's first-place ribbon qualified her for Region 2 Competition in intermediate II, while senior Amber Fox's second-place finish in beginner was good enough for her to qualify.

For a rider to qualify for postseason competition, she must "point-up" from her current division. The first level of postseason competition is regionals, to be eligible she must earn 35 points throughout the year. If a rider is in the open division she must only earn 28 points. Points from the previous year carry over, unless she is an open division rider. The top three competitors at regional competition go on to zone competition. The top two in zone competition qualify for nationals.

Seniors Jessie Baldwin, Beth Jones and Erin Rees qualified for Region 2 Competition at SW Missouri State shows Sept. 21-22. Sophomore Krystal Briggs qualified in for regionals at the first show of the Iowa State competition. The Region 2 event will be held Mar. 9 at Black Hawk CC in Kewanee, Ill.

Fox and Wilson weren't the only two Wildcats to do well at the show, sophomore Elaine Cobb earned a first place in intermediate I. Junior Megan Hemberger placed second in intermediate II, while freshman Katrina Myers snagged the win. Baldwin earned third place in open reining. Senior Darcy Ferguson and sophomore Kristin Tanney earned first places in advanced II, followed by sophomore Sarah Gratheer and sophomore Caitlin Morrison, who placed second, and sophomore Dehlia Burdan came in third.

In the team standings Iowa State earned first place with 19 points, while Black Hawk College was close behind with 16 points. K-State and Southwest Missouri State tied for third with 13 points.

"We are having a great season," Breidenthal said. "I was very pleased to see that we were able to continue our success into today's show. We were able to implement many of the concepts that we have been working on in practice."

The English team will get its chance to ride Oct. 25-27 at its first home shows at Fox Creek. The Western team will next be in action Nov. 16-17 at Truman State.

~ksu~