NMSU Equestrian Team Working to Advance to Nationals

Date:  Feb. 17, 1997
Editor: D'Lyn Ford  (505) 646-6528, dlford@nmsu.edu

LAS CRUCES -- New Mexico State University's Equestrian Team, which is currently tied for first place in total regional points with Colorado State University, is riding tough to come out on top at its final set of horse shows Feb. 28 and March 1 in Cheyenne, Wyo.

The team leading the region in total point standings for the 1996-1997 season will earn the honor of representing the region at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association National Championship in May.

NMSU's Western-style team, which won at the national level in 1995, wants to reclaim the honor. NMSU's English-style team finished second in the region this year, coming in a close second to CSU's team.

"Our chances of going (to nationals) are very good," said Larry Sanchez, NMSU's Western and English team coach. "We have tough riders in each division. We have talented and consistent individuals from the beginning to open divisions of Western."

In addition to working hard to qualify as a team to nationals, team members are counting each point as they fight to qualify individually for the regional horse show. The show, which will be held March 2 in Fort Collins, Colo., is the first qualifying step to nationals on the individual level.

Riders must finish in the top three places in their respective divisions in order to advance to the Zone Championship horse show. The zone show, which brings together the most talented riders from roughly one-half the country, is the final step in qualifying for the national horse show. NMSU will host the zone show April 6.

If riders place first or second at the zone show, they are eligible to enter the national championship show, which will be held May 2-4 at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts.

With one set of shows remaining, NMSU's Western team has 16 riders who have earned enough points throughout the season to qualify individually for regionals. They are Jessica Ackerman, Heather Armstrong, Holly Armstrong, Sandra Blair, Markus Boenig, Cathy Cumberworth, Tammy Greeman, Kristen Hoover, Diane Howes, Jennifer Lowder, Miguel Maes, Stephanie Perez, Patrick Pirtle, Shannon Salazar, Jeb Stuart and Lisa Zigment.

NMSU's English team finished its regular season with four riders qualified for regionals. Brigitte Burchfield, Tammy Greeman, Jennifer Lowder and Stephanie Perez will all be competing at regionals as individuals.

"I feel very positive about the remainder of the season," Sanchez said. "The team is very excited and energetic. They want to win."