April 16, 2003

Manhattan, Kan. - The Kansas State Western and English equestrian teams are coming off a pair of Zone Championships last weekend, going into this weekend's Varsity Championships. The event will be hosted by Texas A&M at the Dick Freeman Arena on April 18.

This is the second year for the event. The English show is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m., while the Western show will start at approximately 1 p.m. This show is the preliminary vision for the an NCAA Championship in equestrian as created by the nation's varsity coaches. All but two of the nation's Division I varsity equestrian programs will travel to College Station, as well as three Division II varsity programs.

On the English side, there will be two events: equitation over fences and equitation on the flat. Those two categories will be broken down into three sections each, with one rider form each school participating in each section. The Western classes will be reining and western horsemanship, with the breakdown identical to the English show. The lowest score in both English and Western will be dropped.

The main difference between this show and a normal collegiate equestrian show is that riders will be graded by two judges as opposed to just one. In a normal Intercollegiate Horse Show Association show, only one judge is used at each contest, with the exception of the IHSA National Championships.

Results will be available following the show at www.k-statesports.com

WESTERN VARSITY CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM -
Amanda Gigot - Sr., Garden City, Kan. - Zone 9, Region 2 High-Point Rider - One time High-Point Rider, four time Reserve High-Point Rider - Qualified for zones in open reining and regionals in open horsemanship - Will be competing on the K-State IHSA National team in open reining.

Erin Peery - So., Lee's Summit, Mo. - One time High-Point Rider - Will be competing on the K-State IHSA National team in open horsemanship.

Kristin Tanney - So., Spring Hill, Kan. - Will be competing on the K-State IHSA National team in advanced.

Brandi Vogel - Jr., Lenexa, Kan. - Three time High-Point Rider - Qualified for nationals in open reining - 2002 IHSA Individual National Champion in advanced.

ENGLISH VARSITY CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM -
Dehlia Burdan - So., Lenexa, Kan. - Four firsts and three seconds this year between open fences and open flat - Qualified for zones in open fences and open flat.

Maureen Reynolds - Sr., Overland Park, Kan. - One first in open fences - Qualified for regional competition in open fences.

Allison Woodworth - So. Overland Park, Kan. - Zone 9, Region 2 Cacchione Cup winner - Five firsts and five seconds this year between open fences and open flat - Qualified for zones as an individual in open fences and open flat - Four time High-Point Rider - Will be competing on the K-State IHSA National team in open fences and open flat.