FELTON, Del. – The University of Tennessee at Martin equestrian squad stood out in the Hunt Seat discipline today but ultimately it wasn’t enough as the Skyhawks fell by a 13-7 margin at Delaware State.
Ranked No. 10 nationally, UT Martin was responsible for the MOP’s in both fences (Kelby Kane) and flat (Julia Gilman), winning seven of the 10 points awarded in those two respective events. However, the host Hornets were able to nab all 10 points in the Western discipline to grab the win.
Kane’s 83-point effort in fences was good enough for her third career MOP in that event as the Skyhawks earned four of the five head-to-head matchups. Haley Kane (79 points), Elizabeth Becker (77 points) and Gilman (75 points) also were victorious while Tyler Anderson’s 68 points completed the UT Martin lineup.
Gilman came away with her second career flat MOP following an 75-point performance. Kelby Kane wrapped up her undefeated day with 81.5 points – winning her matchup by 15.5 points – while Anderson tacked on a victory after recording a career-best 79 points. Mahalia Alascio (76 points) and Haley Kane (75.5 points) additionally produced solid scores but were edged out by their opponents.
In horsemanship, four of the five matchups were determined by 2.5 points or less but the Skyhawks came up short. Keely Seiter managed a career-best 75.5 points to lead UT Martin and was followed by Kate Davis (75), Paige Benson (74.5), Katelyn Schultz (68) and Lexi Bailey (68).
It was a similar outcome in reining as two of the Skyhawk head-to-head matchups were lost by a slim 0.5-point margin. Davis’ 73 points led the way while Brooke Bradley (69), Maggie Malone (67) and Logan Putvinski (65) also put up a fight. Rachel Davis rounded out UT Martin’s reining lineup but she did not record a score.
History was made today as the No. 10 ranked University of Tennessee at Martin equestrian program soared to a 9-6 triumph over No. 3 SMU for its first victory of the 2021-22 campaign.
The win was the Skyhawks’ first win over a top-3 ranked opponent in school history and is the second triumph over a top-5 team (also downing No. 5 Fresno State on Nov. 9, 2017). Today’s result also marks the first UT Martin victory against SMU – who advanced to the NCEA Championship finals last spring – since March 25, 2016.
The Skyhawks boasted three MOP’s during today’s meet. Kelby Kane (88 points) and Julia Gilman (89) nabbed their second MOP accolades in as many days in fences and flat, respectively. Freshman Kate Davis also secured her second MOP of the young season with a 75-point effort in reining.
Kane (MOP) and Gilman (86 points) each tallied head-to-head victories in fences to start off the day, extending Kane’s winning streak to three to start the season while Gilman won her second meet in two opportunities on the weekend. Haley Kane (82 points) and Elizabeth Becker (80 points) also collected solid scores but were defeated by their Mustang counterparts.
UT Martin came away with its first two wins of the season in horsemanship today, splitting the event at 2-all. Keely Seiter’s 74 points and Katelyn Schultz’s 70.5-point ride were good enough for victories while Davis and Paige Benson each posted 72.5 points in narrow setbacks.
The Skyhawks edged out SMU by a 2-1 margin in flat behind Gilman’s MOP performance, the second win in as many days out of Tyler Anderson (74.5 points) and a tie from Kelby Kane (88 points). Haley Kane was the fourth member of UT Martin’s lineup as she delivered a score of 79.5 points.
Possessing a slim 6-5 lead heading into reining, the Skyhawks rose to the occasion by snatching three of the four points awarded in the event. Davis (MOP) joined Maggie Malone (team-high 75.5 points) and Brooke Bradley (73.5) as winners while Logan Putvinski posted 63.5 points.
UT Martin will take a well-deserved break before traveling to Brookings, SD for a matchup against Eastern College Athletic Conference foe South Dakota State on Friday, Oct. 15.