MANHATTAN, Kan. - The Kansas State equestrian team opens its 2004 fall season with the first two western shows of the year on Saturday, Oct. 9, at Fox Creek Stables. The Wildcats will host the six other schools in their region, including Black Hawk Community College, Iowa State, Northwest Missouri State, Southern Illinois, Southwest Missouri State and Truman State.

Many of the returnees on this year's team finished last season strong and senior Brandi Vogel is expected to headline the list of veterans who will be looking to get the 2004-05 campaign off to a successful start.

Vogel has qualified for Nationals three years in a row and was the first Wildcat in school history to bring home an individual championship at nationals in advanced horsemanship.

In addition, other standouts such as sophomore Nicole Ruff will compete on Saturday. Ruff enjoyed success last year at the 2003 Varsity Equestrian Championships, where she claimed the top spot in open reining. The western team finished the 2003-04 regular season in second place in its region, with Black Hawk Community College claiming the regular-season title.

The 2004-05 Kansas State equestrian team includes 41 returnees, with 43 newcomers have joining the roster at the start of the semester.

Saturday's first show starts at 8:00 a.m., with the second show schedueld to get underway at 2:00 p.m.