WACO, Texas Kansas State's equestrian team picked up two wins to advance after the first day of competition at the 2008 Varsity Equestrian National Championships at the Heart O' Texas Fair complex.

K-State will face second-seeded Texas A&M in Hunter Seat on Friday, while the Western squad will also square off against the Aggies, who are seeded fourth.

In first-round action, the fifth-seeded Wildcats blanked No. 12 Tennessee-Martin on the Western side, 8-0, while K-State, seeded seventh, moved on after taking the tiebreaker against Delaware State. The two squads battled to a 4-4 tie, but the Wildcats overall score of 992 was enough to advance.

“Our riders started the competition on a really strong note,” Western head coach Casie Williamson said. “We had smart confident rides that put us in a good place for the rest of the weekend. We are counting on the Reiner’s to be strong in the morning and help us move on.”

Junior Alyssa Freeman picked up two wins on the day, one in Horsemanship by a score of 138.5-133 and in Reining, 142-0. Sophomore Laura Browne also provided a spark for K-State as she won her match, 145-136, in Horsemanship. Senior Lindsey Salsbury also performed well for K-State as she took home a win, 143-128, in Horsemanship.

In Reining, freshman Alecia Zimbelman picked up her ninth varsity win on the season, defeating Hannah Derks, 144-139.5. Sophomore Tara Hallan turned in a stellar ride with her 143-0 win over Elaine Haw, and sophomore Morgan Campbell also took home a win with a solid 145-132 win.

“Today was a good challenge for us,” Hunter Seat head coach Ashley Foster said. “Delaware State came out strong over fences and we came out weak. Our flat riders really pulled through for us. We fought till the end and ended up on top. We plan to keep fighting tomorrow and hopefully pull out another win.”

After managing only one win in Equation over Fences, Kansas State’s Equitation on the Flat squad turned it around Thursday with a 3-1 win to tie the competition at 4-4. After the raw scores were compiled, Kansas State defeated Delaware State, 992-928.

Senior Whitney Snyder had a terrific day picking up the only win in the Fences category for Kansas State and took home a win in the Flat competition, 147-115.

Freshman Julie Wolfert picked up her fourth varsity win of the season as she won her match, 138-126, and Jenny Giraldin also helped K-State’s cause with a 144-89 win over Kayla Blair.

Results from the second round of the VENC will also be available online at kstatesports.com as they become available.

VENC Day One Hunter Seat Results:

Kansas State 4, Delaware State, 4

April 17, 2008

Heart O’ Texas Fair Complex

Waco, Texas

Varsity Equitation over Fences
Kendall Marvin KSU (65) vs. Kamerra Brown DSU (137)
Ashley Collett KSU (133) vs. Kayla Blair DSU (141)
Leslie Yates KSU (140) vs. Kayleigh Karnbach DSU (145)
Whitney Snyder KSU (162) vs. Ashley Butler DSU (129)

KSU 1 DSU 3

Varsity Equitation on the Flat

Leslie Yates KSU (128) vs. Elizabeth Tuttle DSU (135)
Julie Wolfert KSU (138) vs. Ashley Butler DSU (129)
Jenny Giraldin KSU (144) vs. Kayla Blair DSU (89)
Whitney Snyder KSU (147) vs. Kamerra Brown (115)

KSU 3 - DSU 1

VENC Day One Western Results:

Kansas State 8, UT-Martin, 0

April 17, 2008

Heart O’ Texas Fair Complex

Waco, Texas

Varsity Horsemanship

Jana Lechtenberg KSU (145) vs. Kendra Leake UTM (138)
Laura Browne KSU (145) vs. Hannah Derks UTM (139.5)
Lindsey Salsbury KSU (143) vs. Stephanie Sanders UTM (128)
Alyssa Freeman KSU (138.5) vs. Elaine Haw UTM (69.5)

KSU 4 - UTM 0

Varsity Reining
Morgan Campbell KSU (145) vs. Kendra Leake UTM (132)
Alecia Zimbelman KSU (144) vs. Hannah Derks UTM (139.5)
Alyssa Freeman KSU (142) vs. Amanda Weedon (0)
Tara Hallan KSU (143) vs. Elaine Haw (0)

KSU 4 UTM 0

-kstatesports.com-