MARTIN, Tenn. - The University of Tennessee at Martin women's equestrian team went 1-2 in the recent Best of the West Invitational at Fresno (California) State University, defeating Sacred Heart in both English and Western disciplines. The Skyhawk riders also defeated Fresno State in the Hunter Seat competition.

"Fresno State on the road was a huge win for this Hunter Seat team," said UT Martin head coach Meghan Cunningham. "The girls rodeo great."

UT Martin defeated Sacred Heart 4-2 in English and tied 3-3 in the Western events. However, the Skyhawks won the overall competition 7-5.

Caroline Cramer and Brittany Kasprack claimed victories in Equitation over Fences. Cramer and Kelsey Abell picked up victories in Equitation on the Flat. Abell won the MVP with an 82-point ride.

Stephanie Sanders and Michelle Chullock earned victories in Western Horsemanship. Chullock was named the MVP with her score of 72.

Sanders also won in Reining, while Hannah Derks earned the MVP.

Abell earned a victory in Equitation on the Flat against Fresno State, but Fresno won the event 2-1. Cramer and Kasprack picked up wins against Fresno in Equitation over Fences. Cramer was the MVP with an 80-point ride.

Despite the 3-3 tie, UT Martin claimed the victory because of its 399-389 edge in the raw score.

Fresno State won the Western events 5-1. UT Martin's Derks scored the lone point with her win in Horsemanship.

The Skyhawk riders suffered a 10-2 setback against TCU, but Kasprack scored a win in Equitation over Fences, while Cramer picked up the MVP honor and a victory in Equitation on the Flat with a 93-point ride.

"Caroline's (Cramer) score of 93 was an awesome ride," Cunningham said.

"We beat ourselves against TCU. We can't make the kind of mistakes we did and expect to win. We are a better team than that, a tough lesson learned."

The Skyhawks will return to action at 11 a.m. Friday, March 26 when they host SMU at the Ned McWherter Agricultural Complex.


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