MANHATTAN, Kan. The Kansas State western equestrian team finished the fall season today at Black Hawk Community College with a big win. The Wildcats accumulated 30 points overall and won the title of High Point Team for the second time this weekend. Black Hawk Community College finished a close second with 27 points.

Sophomore Nicole Ruff had a strong day, finishing fourth in Reining and first in Open Horsemanship B. Ruff tied with another rider for High Point Rider honors, but she won the ensuing ride-off and was officially named High Point Rider of the day. The Kansas State riders dominated the Open Horsemanship classes for the second day in a row, as four riders placed in each of the classes. In Open Horsemanship A, Senior Brandi Vogel placed first, senior Kristin Tanney placed second, senior Heather Zsamba placed third and sophomore Sara Weller placed fourth. Meanwhile in Open Horsemanship B, Ruff placed first, senior Erin Rees placed fifth, junior Lindsey Hicks placed sixth, and junior Shanda Draper won the reserve spot.

"At this show, the judges gave the riders very intricate and difficult patterns to complete," head coach Teresa Slough said. "The riders handled it very well and they fought their way through it. They were very precise, and it helped our team win."

This concludes the fall season for the western team. The Wildcats will return to action in February when they travel to Southwest Missouri State on the weekend of March 5-6, 2005.

High Point Team: Kansas State; 30 points

Reserve High Point Team: Black Hawk Community College; 27 points

High Point Rider: Nicole Ruff, Kansas State

Reining: 3^rd - Kristin Tanney; 4^th - Nicole Ruff; 5^th - Lindsey Hicks

Intermediate II Horsemanship A: 3^rd - Erin Mader

Open Horsemanship A: 1^st - Brandi Vogel; 2^nd - Kristin Tanney; 3^rd - Heather Zsamba;

4^th - Sara Weller

Novice Horsemanship A: 6^th - Leanne Thompson; Res. - Rebecca Abramovitz

Beginner Horsemanship A: 3^rd - Erin Bodlack; 4^th - Heather Culwell

Open Horsemanship B: 1^st - Nicole Ruff; 5^th - Erin Rees; 6^th - Lindsey Hicks; Res. - Shanda Draper

Intermediate II Horsemanship B: 1^st - Sarah Coomes

Advanced Horsemanship: 1^st - Dennon Zimbelman

Beginner Horsemanship B: 1^st - Gina Remus; Res. - Lianna Bodlack

Novice Horsemanship C: 1^st - Katie Edwards

Novice Horsemanship D: 5^th - Rachel Pierson