KIRKSVILLE, Mo. The Kansas State women’s equestrian team started the 2005-06 season strong by ending the first day as the High Point Team with 28 points at Truman State University. K-State finished in first place out of seven teams as Black Hawk College took second with 18 points, and in third place with 16 points, was the host team Truman State.

There were six K-State riders that earned first place finishes in their perspective shows. Taking top honors on Saturday for the Wildcats were, Sarah Meller who earned a first place finish in Reigning and Stacey Lutz  who finished first in Class 5 Intermediate II Section 2. Katie Edwards earned first place in Class 7 Novice Section 2 and Leanne Thompson finished first in Class 10 Novice Section 3.

“I think we got the year off to a very good start,” second-year head coach Teresa Slough said. “To open the season with a 10-point lead over Black Hawk in the region is a great start. I think the team as whole rode well for the first show of the season, and now, we just need to stay focused and have a repeat performance Sunday.”

The team will wrap up the weekend in Kirksville tomorrow, with a combined show of both English and Western competition.

Day One K-State Results:

Reigning: 1^st - Sara Weller, 2^nd - Riley Zarda, 3^rd - Lindsey Hicks, 4^th - Shandra Draper, 6^th - Lisa Salsbury.

Open Horsemanship: 1^st - Riley Zarda, 2^nd - Sara Weller, 3^rd - Lindsey Salsbury, 5^th - Lindsey Hicks, Reserve- Dennon Zimbelman.

Intermediate II. Section 1: 2^nd - Sarah Coomes.

Class 4 Novice Section 1: 3^rd - Kara Taddiken

Class 5: Intermediate II Section 2: 1^st - Stacey Lutz

Class 6: Advanced: 4^th - Sheena Linders

Class 7 Novice Section 2: 1^st - Katie Edwards, 3^rd - Becky Abramovitz

Class 9 Beginner: 1^st - Gina Remus

Class 10 Novice Section 3: 1^st - Leann Thompson