Ariy-El Boynton

The SDSU western equestrian fell to the New Mexico State Aggies 6-2 in Las Cruces, N.M on Oct. 27. The Jacks fell 0-1 in only western riding.

In the horsemanship competition Jackrabbit rider Hillary Siebels fell to most valuable player Kelli Younker 72.5-69. Aggie riders Kate Chesley and Racheal Krause both beat SDSU’s Lydia Placzek and Abby Knobbe 72-71.5. Had Placzek and Knobbe scored one more point, the Jacks would have tied New Mexico State, but the young Jacks did not have enough as they fell to high scoring Aggies.

Codi Binkerd and South Dakota State’s Jordan Blair ended their competition as the final pairing with a draw at 70-70 a piece.

The New Mexico State coaching staff showed little knowledge of SDSU. “The girls had to ride. South Dakota really put forth a strong effort, but in the end our performance overpowered the Lumberjacks,” said NMSU assistant coach Ashley Thompson. (Courtesy of New Mexico State University Relations).

On the reining side, Placzek and Jordanne Blair tried to remind the Aggies that SDSU’s mascot was the Jackrabbits and not the Lumberjacks. They both beat their opponents by the slimmest of margins 70.5 to 70. Chelsey then defeated SDSU rider Angie Gebhart 67.5-62. NMSU rider Ashley Dietz with horse Cacuy defeated Jackrabbit rider Brianna Grohs 70-0.

The Aggies won three competitions on both sides of the western side. SDSU won two duels on the reining side.

Up next for the SDSU Western riders is Nebraska on Nov. 10, with both the English and the western sides riding at Delaware State in the next week.