Dover, Del. (Oct. 5, 2015) --- The Delaware State equestrian team continues to prove it can compete with some of the top programs in the country.  The Hornets put up a good fight, but came up short in losses to National Collegiate Equestrian Association No. 1 Georgia and No. 5 Fresno State in head-to-head contests at the State Fairgrounds in Harrington last weekend.

DSU fell to Georgia, the reigning national runner-up, 9-5. The highlight of the contest for the Hornets was a 2-1 victory over the Bulldogs in Fences.

Delaware State sophomore Hayley Anderson, riding on "MG," was Most Valuable Performer with a top score of 88 in Fences. Carlin Savage (sr.) rode "Snickers" to a score of 84 to also earn a point for the Hornets. Rachel Dantley (jr.) posted an impressive score of 85 in Fences aboard  "Zoey."

Also in the English competition, Caroline Schock (jr.) tallied DSU's lone point on the Flat with a score of 64 while on "Re-ride Cherry."

Overall, Georgia was a 4-3 winner in the English contests.

Despite outstanding rides by Abi Buckwalter (jr.) and Brooke Moore (sr.), Georgia came out on top 5-2 in the Western competition. The teams tied 2-2 in Horsemanship, while the Bulldogs won three of four Reining contests and a fourth ride was scored even.

Buckwalter posted a score of 76.5 aboard "Mick" to top all riders in Horsemanship. Moore ("Calvin") also collected a Horsemanship point for DSU with a score of 75.5 to rank third among the competitors.

The Hornets defeated Fresno State 3-1 in Fences and tied in Reining (2-2), but fell short in the final team tally 9-7 despite outscoring FSU 1138.5-to-1092 in total points.

DSU's Tiffany Lee (sr.) was MVP in Fences after topping all competitors with a final tally of 77 on "Zoey."

Anderson ("Snickers") posted her second win of the day with a 76 in Fences; and Savage rode "Grace" to a score of 70 to collect a point for the Hornets.

Schock was also a winner on the Flat for DSU in the Fresno State contest.

Delaware State's Cheyanne Adams (jr.), riding on "Lyle," picked up a Reining point with a score of 67.5, second-best in the competition.

Elizabeth Koons (so.) rode "Twiggy" to a score of 65 to earn DSU's second victory in Reining.

Moore completed an undefeated day with a score of 72 on "Wyatt" for the Hornets' lone win in Horsemanship vs. Fresno State.

The three-team competition was moved to the State Fairgrounds due to the last week's severe weather.

"We had to transfer 25 horses, feed, shavings, jumps, flat arena and everything else needed for the  competition," said Delaware State head coach Jennifer Ridgely. "Our parents and student-athletes worked together to make it happen."  

The DSU equestrian team returns to action on Nov. 7 against New Mexico State and South Dakota State at the Dovington Training Center in Felton.