WACO, Texas. The Kansas State equestrian team finished up the final day of competition at the Varsity Equestrian National Championships Friday in Waco, Texas, with the Hunt Seat squad finishing in third place after defeating Auburn, 5-3, and the Western squad finished in sixth place after a 6-2 loss to Baylor.

K-State’s seventh-seeded English squad began the round against fourth-seeded and defending overall national champion, Auburn, with a 3-1 victory over fences. Junior Whitney Snyder lead all riders in her 167-152 win over Katie Breedlove, while freshman Kendall Marvin and sophomore Leslie Yates also picked up wins. On the flat, K-State and Auburn tied, 2-2, with Whitney Snyder picking up another win and Jenny Giraldin staying undefeated on the week with her 147-144 win over Chelsea Anheuser.

“Our riders were fabulous this week and we have worked so hard for this,” english coach Ashley Duda said. “Jenny Giraldin was terrific; she went undefeated the entire week, and I really think we had our best performance of the week today.”

In Western action Friday, third-seeded K-State lost to eighth-seeded Baylor, 6-2. Baylor started off the match strong with a 4-0 sweep in reining. In horsemanship, both teams battled hard as they tied, 2-2. Freshman Laura Browne picked up a win, 145.5-138, over Lindsey Tomko. Senior Sara Weller defeated Amanda Graber, 146-144.5, for the Wildcats.

“Our riders adjusted well today throughout the course of the show,” western coach Casie Lisabeth said. ”Laura Browne did really well and Sara Weller did great in horsemanship. It was a really great way for Sara to end her career with the win.”

Kansas State will finish up the season at IHSA Nationals, May 3-6 in Springfield, Mass.

Kansas State 5, Auburn, 3

April 20, 2007

Heart of Texas Fairgrounds

Waco, Texas

English Final Round Results

Fences

Lauren Hulen (AUB) 150 vs. Kendall Marvin (KSU) 158
Katie Breedlove (AUB) 152 vs. Whitney Snyder (KSU) 167
Jessica Brasswell (AUB) 150.5 vs. Leslie Yates (KSU) 156.5
Natalie Burton (AUB) 167.5 vs. Casey Finnell (KSU) 166

AUB 1 KSU 3

Flat
Jenny Giraldin (KSU) 147 vs. Chelsea Anheuser (AUB) 144
Whitney Snyder (KSU) 166 vs. Maggie White (AUB) 144  
Casey Finnell (KSU) 146 vs. Jenny Reinhart (AUB) 149
Leslie Yates (KSU) 159 vs. Rebecca Rifkin (AUB) 164

KSU 2 AUB 2

English Total: AUB 3 KSU 5

Kansas State, 2 Baylor, 6

April 20, 2007

Heart of Texas Fairgrounds

Waco, Texas

Western Final Round Results

Reining
Morgan Campbell (KSU) 130.5 vs. Amanda Graber (BU) 135.5
Sara Weller (KSU) 142.5 vs. Madelyn Mooney (BU) 143.5
Lindsey Salsbury (KSU) 137.5 vs. Valtie Riddle (BU) 142
Dennon Zimbelman (KSU) 136.5 vs. Nicole McCoy (BU) 140.5  

KSU 0BU 4

Horsemanship

Lindsey Salsbury (KSU) 143.5 vs. Missy Gonzalez (BU) 147

Laura Browne (KSU) 145.5 vs. Lindsey Tomko (BU) 138

Sara Weller (KSU) 146 vs. Amanda Graber (BU) 144.5

Jana Lechtenberg 137 (KSU)  vs. Allison Orosz (BU) 137.5

KSU 2 BU 2

Western Total: BU 6 KSU 2

                                                -kstatesports.com-