Dover (Sep. 29, 2008) --- The Delaware State equestrian team has claimed First State bragging rights after a 13-5 victory over Delaware in an exhibition at the Gambler's Choice Equestrian Center on Sunday.

Another strong performance by DSU's Western riders led the way. The Hornets won the Western competition 7-1, outscoring the Hens 4-1 in Horsemanship and 3-0 in Reining. Delaware State's riders totaled 646.5 points, compared to 404 for UD in the Western contest.  DSU's Morgan Scuse, riding on “Booker”, had the top Horsemanship score of 72.5. Brittni Collins (70), Amanda Hotz (69.5) and Jennifer Pierson (68) also earned points for the Hornets in the Horsemanship competition.

Delaware State's Alicia Maynard was the top rider in Reining. Riding on “Ace”, Maynard received a score of 78.5 to defeat UD's Stephanie Moran (61). Scuse (73) and Pierson (71) also earned points in Reining for DSU. Hotz and Delaware's Chelsea Landa battled to a draw in Reining, each receiving a score of 75.5.

Hotz was selected as Delaware State's Western MVP for the competition.

The Hornets were 6-4 winners in the English competition. Delaware State earned a 4-1 victory in Equitation on the Flat, while UD posted a 3-2 win in Equitation over Fences. DSU won the overall points battle 683 to 664.

Kamerra Brown was DSU's English MVP after scoring a team high of 78 on the Flat and was third among all riders with an 82 in Fences. Brown and Elizabeth Frayser Tuttle each earned two English points, while Julianna Aguilar (74 on the Flat) and Caroline Foltz (72 Flat) also tallied points for the Hornets. Aguilar scored a team high 84 in Fences, but fell short to Delaware's Jen Wyndish (86) in a battle of outstanding riders.

The DSU equestrian team returns to action this Friday (Oct. 3) against nationally-ranked Georgia at Gambler's Choice. The competition gets underway at 3:00 p.m.