MOLINE, Ill.--The Kansas State equestrian team went into their second show of the season with high hopes but low expectations. “We knew coming into this show that we might not come out on top,” head coach Lindsay Breidenthal said. “But, we worked extra hard and were extra prepared.”

The preparation payed off as the Wildcats stole the show both days with first-place finishes in the two-day, seven team competition.

The Cats scored 30 points as a team on day one, including 14 each from Peery and Ruff, who competed against each other in a ride-off to determine the High-Point Rider of the day. Ruff came out on top with first-place finishes in Open Reining II and Open Horsemanship II, while Peery was Reserve High-Point Rider with first-place finishes in Open Reining I and Open Horsemanship I.

Other top finishers at the Saturday show included Brandi Vogel with second-place finishes in Open Reining I and Open Horsemanship I, Melissa Becking with a first-place finish in Advanced Horsemanship I, Michelle Schneider with a first-place finish in Intermediate Horsemanship I, Meghan Felts with a second-place finish in Advanced Horsemanship I, Teal Ludwick with a second-place finish in Intermediate Horsemanship I, Elaine Cobb with a second-place finish in Novice Horsemanship I, Andrea Wosel with a second-place finish in Novice Horsemanship II, Macie Ayers with a first-place finish in Intermediate 2 Horsemanship I and Valerie Meyer with a first-place finish in Intermediate 2 Horsemanship II.

Day two of the weekend competition was no different for K-State’s team as it finished first again with 28 points, four points ahead of Black Hawk College.

Erin Peery pulled through on day two with High-Point Rider honors, scoring 14 points by winning Open Reining I and Open Horsemanship I. Winning Open Reining II and placing second in Open Horsemanship II, Vogel’s 12 points were enough to capture the Reserve High-Point Rider title.

“I was surprised that Nicole (Ruff) did so well after having a rocky start at our first show,” Breidenthal said. “Being a newcomer to the team, she really pulled her weight at this show. Erin (Peery) and Brandi (Vogel) always do well, so their performances were expected.”

Other top-two finishers for the Sunday competition were Lindsey George with a second-place finish in Open Horsemanship I, Ruff with a first-place finish in Open Horsemanship II, Ludwick with a first-place finish in Intermediate Horsemanship II, Schneider with a first-place finish in Beginner Horsemanship II and a second-place finish in Intermediate Horsemanship I, Lauren Allen with a second-place finish in Novice Horsemanship I and Rachel Pierson with a second-place finish in Intermediate 2 Horsemanship I.

The Kansas State Western team is currently in first place in their seven-team region with 106 points, while Black Hawk College is a close second with 102 points.

The Cats will ride in their final show of the fall season on Nov. 15-16 at the Truman State show in Columbia, Mo.

K-StateSports Women's Equestrian

Printer-friendly format	Email this article