April 20, 2006
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - In the program's first attempt to claim a national title, Baylor's equestrian team made defiant strides today in its quest. The 10th-seeded English riders defeated seventh-seeded Sacred Heart this morning in a 737-657 victory though the ninth-seeded Western riders were outscored by seventh-seeded Auburn 841.5-830. The Varsity National Championships feature 12 equestrian programs competing in the three-day tournament hosted by New Mexico State University. The show is being held at the EXPO/New Mexico State/Fair Grounds.
In the English discipline, the Bears were led by freshmen Nicole Brown and Shelby White as both scored impressively in their rides. Brown posted an outstanding 161 in her Equitation over Fences ride while White earned a team-high 119 points on her Equitation on the Flat course. Overall Baylor outscored Sacred Heart by 80 points.
With the English team's victory over Sacred Heart, Baylor riders will face second-seeded South Carolina in the second round. The two programs faced off earlier this spring in a head-to-head show hosted by the Gamecocks. South Carolina won the overall show 1274-1244.5 but the Baylor English riders only lost the English portion of the show by 21.5 points (636-614.5).
The second round competition started late this afternoon. Only half of the riders will compete today while the others will ride tomorrow morning to determine which team will advance to round three in the English discipline.
"For our English girls, Nicole [Brown] was our high-point Fences rider with 161 and Shelby [White] was high-point Flat rider with 119. All of our riders did a great job, and we are so pleased to be advancing," said head coach Ellen White.
In the Western arena, Baylor was unfortunately knocked out of the bracket by Auburn. Ashleigh Brown tallied a team-high 143 points in her Horsemanship ride, the highest score between both schools on the course. Kendra Kemp earned a team-high 136.5 points on her Reining performance. Overall the Bears lost to the Tigers by only 11.5 points.
"Our riders were really great today. We made some little mistakes but all the riders did, not just Baylor. We only had one rider [Brenna Burris] who had been to nationals before while we were competing against a school comprised of mostly seniors who have been to nationals a number of times. But we rode well and our riders have improved so much from the beginning of this season. It's just disappointing that they couldn't be rewarded for their work by advancing today," said assistant coach Trista Armstrong.
Among the Western riders, three seniors rode for the last time as Bears. Co-captains Amanda Esco and Brenna Burris along with Kim Crook closed out their season with Baylor by participating in today's championship tournament.
In tomorrow's action, the English riders will continue round two starting Friday morning. Results for Baylor will be posted at www.baylorbears.com while full tournament scores are available at www.nmstatesports.com.
Varsity National Championships
April 20, 2006 - All Day
Albuquerque, N.M.
Baylor's Results
Western
First Round
(7) Auburn, 841.5 def. (9) Baylor, 830
Auburn Rider - Score - Horse - Score - Baylor Rider
Horsemanship
Kimberly Tidwell - 142 - Hesa - 141.5 - Kim Crook
Whitney Kimble - 137.5 - Muffin - 135 - Nicole McCoy
Ashley Milton - 139.5 - Abbey - 139 - Brenna Burris
Kathleen Ream - 138 - Shadow - 143 - Ashleigh Brown
Reining
Ashley Griffith - 140 - Freejac - 135 - Amanda Esco
Julie Gibbs - 143 - Happy - 133 - Brenna Burris
Whitney Kimble - 139 - JR - 136.5 - Kendra Kemp
Totals:
Auburn - 841.5
Baylor - 830
English
First Round
(10) Baylor, 737 def. (7) Sacred Heart, 657
Baylor Rider - Score - Horse - Score - Sacred Heart Rider
Equitation on the Flat
Susie Foster - 114 - Monty - 82 - Lauren Pierce
Shelby White - 119 - Lazaro - 98 - Danielle Curcio
Cara Wilson - 93 - Tango - 67 - Katherin Coyle
Nicole Brown - 118 - Johnny - 88 - Jessica Reynolds
Equitation over Fences
Nicole Brown - 161 - Spyder - 135 - Katherin Coyle
Shelby White - 114 - Koby - 152 - Lauren Pierce
Susie Foster - 111 - Lazaro - 102 - Danielle Curcio
Totals:
Baylor - 737
Sacred Heart - 657
