NMSU Equestrian Team Hosts National Invitational

Date:  March 10, 1997
Editor: D'Lyn Ford  (505) 646-6528, dlford@nmsu.edu

LAS CRUCES -- Some of the best intercollegiate horse show teams from around the nation are planning to spend their spring break in Las Cruces, as New Mexico State University's Equestrian Team gears up to host a Western national invitational March 15.

"We've already made a good impression on the rest of the country," said Larry Sanchez, NMSU's Equestrian Team coach. "But this will really put New Mexico and our team on the map."

Only the best teams are invited to compete in the exhibition-style show, which will start at 10 a.m. Saturday at NMSU's equestrian center (corner of Union Street and Stewart Street).

NMSU will have three teams competing with 17 other teams from around the country in this "Tournament of Champions," a competition that showcases the best talent from former national champions and teams currently leading their regions.

Teams will come from as far as Fresno State University in California and Cazenovia College in New York to compete in the Western-style horse show.

Fifteen NMSU riders will participate in the event. Heather Armstrong, Heather Gribling, Shannon Salazar, Jessica Sorenson and Jeb Stuart will make up the first team. Cathy Cumberworth, Tammy Greeman, Kirsten Hoover, Jennifer Lowder and Sabrina Measday will ride on NMSU's second team. Jessica Ackerman, Holly Armstrong, Patrick Pirtle, Amber Naeb and Julie Davis will compete on NMSU's third team.

NMSU is planning a pre-invitational party on Friday, March 14 at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum. The party includes a dance and catered dinner to welcome riders to New Mexico, Sanchez said.

"It's a wonderful opportunity for the university to have some of the best stock seat teams in the country to come out and compete here," he said.