NMSU Equestrian Team Advances to Nationals

Date:  March 4, 1997
Editor: D'Lyn Ford  (505) 646-6528, dlford@nmsu.edu

LAS CRUCES -- New Mexico State University's equestrian team won the long, hard fight for top regional point standings in the Western division, by beating out Colorado State University in its final horse show March 1 in Cheyenne, Wyo.

NMSU, behind by four points going into its last show, defeated CSU and ended its season with 240 points to CSU's 236. NMSU will represent the region at May's national championship horse show in Massachusetts.

"I'm elated and relieved," said Larry Sanchez, team coach. "CSU is consistent and strong. To beat a team of that caliber took a lot of dedication and hard work."

The team that will compete at nationals is every bit as strong, or stronger, than NMSU's 1995 national champion team, Sanchez said.

Members who will ride as NMSU Equestrian Team representatives at the national show are chosen by Sanchez according to ability and consistency. In addition, riders must compete in their current division.

The weekend was a busy one, as the team traveled to Fort Collins, Colo. March 2 for the individual regional championships. Team members competed for a chance to advance to the zone championship horse show on an individual level. The zone show, which will be hosted by NMSU April 6, is a national qualifying show.

Four team members traveled home with the honor of being regional champions in their division. English-style riders Brigitte Burchfield, Tammy Greeman and Jennifer Lowder came out of the arena with blue ribbons. Jennifer Lowder and Kirsten Hoover won their Western-style divisions.

In addition, eight other riders also earned a chance to qualify for nationals at the zone championship show by placing second or third. In English, Tammy Greeman qualified in an additional class by placing third. Heather Armstrong, Tammy Greeman, Heather Gribling, Kirsten Hoover, Miguel Maes, Patrick Pirtle and Shannon Salazar all placed second or third in their Western classes, entitling them to an entry at the zone championship horse show.