BRYAN, Texas Despite a strong performance from Bridget Doyle and the Wildcat Hunter Seat squad, the Kansas State equestrian team dropped a 15-9 decision to No. 4 Texas A&M Friday at the Aggies’ home arena. The Hunter Seat team tied Texas A&M, 6-6, but the Western team was downed by the Aggies, 9-3.

Four Wildcats picked up wins in the fences category as the team defeated the Aggies, 4-2. Doyle paced the Wildcats as she defeated Brooke Coleman, 85-76. With the win, Doyle picked up her first MVP award of the year and the first MVP honor of her career as a Wildcat. Also picking up wins for K-State was Jen Rawle, who upset Kristi Waldal by a large margin, 74-45, Ashley Collett, and Whitney Snyder.

In the flat section, two Wildcats rode to victory against Texas A&M, but the Wildcats were defeated by the Aggies, 4-2. Leslie Yates had an outstanding ride and defeated Brittney Dodson, 89-84. Also picking up a win for K-State was Stephanie Patterson, who defeated Elizabeth Solch, 77-66. Friday was her first win since she upset Georgia’s Lauren Kulwicki, 59-57, back on September 20.

"The riders rode well today,” said Ashley Foster, Hunter Seat head coach. “They were very correct and consistent in their rides. I am pleased with their performance despite the end result. Texas A&M was outstanding today and the caliber of riding throughout the competition was the best we've seen in a while. Leslie Yates had an incredible flat ride today and Bridget Doyle was incredible over fences. I am thrilled that the riders are once again performing to their potential and we are looking forward to another strong showing at Baylor."

On the other side of the bracket, Texas A&M’s Horsemanship team defeated K-State’s, 5-1. The lone Wildcat who picked up a win was Jana Lechtenberg, who defeated Sibyl Parsons, 74-73, advancing her record to 6-4 on the year.

Two K-State riders won Friday against the Aggies, including Dani Pettera and Morgan Campbell. Pettera defeated Leah Ward, 66-64.5, while Campbell upset Randi Standley, 64-63.

Several exhibition riders showed for the Wildcats on Friday. Picking up wins for the Wildcats were Allie Archer, who knocked off Stephanie Harmon, 58-47, in the flat category for her first win on the season. Caley Coffey rode to victory in horsemanship by defeating Ashley Snoey, 75-72.5.

The Wildcats will be back in action Saturday as they take on the Baylor Bears in Waco, Texas. The show will kick off at 10 a.m.

Complete results from Saturday’s show will be updated as they become available.

Complete results from Friday’s competition are as follows.

VARSITY COMPETITION

Equitation on the flat:
Katie Mellon 62 vs Tegan Zealy 85

Whitney Snyder 84 vs Megan Webb 88**

Leslie Yates 89 vs Brittney Dodson 84

Jenny Giraldin 61 vs Christina Heine 70

Stephanie Patterson 77 vs Elizabeth Solch 66
Dresden Sommer 81 vs Christina Matz 88

Equitation over fences:
Jen Rawle 74 vs Kristi Waldal 45

Leslie Yates 73 vs Maggie Earle 79

Ashley Collett 75 vs Lia Chafee 71

Kendall Marvin 80 vs Erin Ivy 83

Bridget Doyle 85** vs Brooke Coleman 76

Whitney Snyder 81 vs Lindsay Smith 78

Hunter Seat Totals: KSU 6 TAMU 6

Horsemanship:
Laura Browne 72.5 vs Renee Dirkse 75.5

Courtney Watters 70.5 vs Kelsey Adams 73.5

Alyssa Freeman 76.5 vs Caroline Gunn 77**

Jana Lechtenberg 74 vs Sibyl Parsons 73

Sierra Fredrick 70 vs Randi Standley 72

Mikaela Sundgren 73 vs Katie Lisabeth 74.5

Reining:
Alecia Zimbelman 65 vs Amanda Ryan 68.5

Dani Pettera 66 vs Leah Ward 64.5

Morgan Campbell 64 vs Randi Standley 63

Alyssa Freeman 68 vs Tara Christiansen 69

Tara Hallan 68.5 vs Maggie Gratny 69.5**

Kaylee Stout 65.5 vs Genna Fishgold 66

Western Totals: KSU 3 TAMU 9

OVERALL: KSU 9 TAMU 15
 
** MVP

EXHIBITION COMPETITION

Equitation on the flat:

Hannah Schroller 45 vs Taylor Reiner 77

Equitation over fences:

Allie Archer 58 vs Stephanie Harmon 47

Hunter Seat Totals: KSU 1 TAMU 1

Horsemanship:

Josie Kness 63 vs Amana Cushman 67.5

Hayley Milch 63.5 vs Dana Hall 69.5

Caley Coffey 75 vs Ashley Snoey 72.5

Reining:
Dana Johnson 69 vs Abigail Grabein 71.5

Western Totals: KSU 1 TAMU 3

OVERALL: KSU 2 TAMU 4

          -kstatesports.com-