Brookings, S.D. (Oct. 4, 2009) --- The Delaware State equestrian team opened its 2009-10 season on the short end of matches against South Dakota State & Texas Christian on Saturday.

The Hornets fell to South Dakota State 10-5 before dropping an 11-5 decision to Texas Christian.

In the South Dakota State match, Frayser Tuttle was named MVP of the Hunterseat Equitation over Fences to lead DSU to a 3-1 victory in Fences.  Riding on "Dinky," Tuttle posted a score of 81, tops among the Fencing competitors. Kayla Blair (79) and Kaylee Karnbach (77) also tallied points in Fencing for the Hornets.

South Dakota State won the Hunterseat Equitation on the Flat 3-0.

The Jackrabbits outscored the Hornets 6-2 in the Western competition, winning 3-1 in the Horsemanship and Reining contests.

Shelby Bonneville (68.5) scored DSU's lone point in Horsemanship, while Amanda Hotz (67) earned a victory for the Hornets in reining.         

In the Texas Christian contest, DSU posted a 3-1 victory in Flats, while the teams battled to a 2-2 tie in Fences. Kamerra Brown rode "Jackson" to a high score of 80 in Flats, tops among all competitors. Reily Finnelly (78) and Caroline Foltz (72) also posted victories in Flats for the Hornets. 

Tuttle topped all riders with a score of 81 in Fences, while Karnbach also earned a win and Blair was named MVP in the competition.

Texas Christian swept to 4-0 victories in the Western Horsemanship and Reining events.

The Delaware State equestrian team will host the University of Delaware in an exhibition next Sunday (Oct. 11) at DSU's Gamblers Choice Equestrian Center.