DOVER, Del. - The decorated Texas A&M equestrian team came to Dover for the first time in school history Friday and took the night's events from Delaware State University by a score of 7-6 at the Gambler's Choice Equestrian Center.
Last season, the Aggies finished third overall at the 2011 Varsity Equestrian National Championships after topping all teams in the Western tournament and placing sixth in the English competition.
The Hornets started the night strong, winning the hunterseat events, 4-2, and were lead by senior Caroline Foltz (Dover, Del.). Foltz recorded a tremendous score of 77 in the equitation on horse Monday to defeat A&M's Paige Russell, who scored a 69. Sophomore Erin Engard (Shamong, N.J.) also defeated her opponent, Kristin Bell, by a score of 62-0. Foltz was named MVP for the event.
In the equitation over the fences, Foltz and Engard once again won points for Del State with their victories over Lia Chafee and Emily Williams. A&M's Kori Pickett scored 77 points on horse Clayton to win MVP for this event.
Sophomore Tayler Scuse (Dover, Del.) was the lone Hornet to win her matchup in the horsemanship event, scoring a 72 against the Aggies' Katie Lisabeth, who posted a 65.5 on horse Walter. Texas A&M took the horsemanship event, 3-1.
Reining was much closer, as the Aggies won by a score of 2-1. Freshman Megan Marie Foley (Powell, Ohio) won the lone matchup for the Hornets as she scored a 68 against Abigail Gravine's 65 on horse Marge. Junior Breann Huyett (Narvon, Pa.) and Becca Murray tied in their matchup with 72 points on Lyle.
Events continue on Saturday for the Hornets as they take on Fresno State at 12 p.m. at the Gambler's Choice Equestrian Center, located at 238 Grey Fox Lane on the north side of Dover.