Delaware State University's equestrian team opened its season Thursday with a 13-5 loss to second-ranked Texas A&M, but the unranked Hornets turned in a standout performance. They earned two of the four Most Outstanding Performer awards and won an entire event against one of the top programs in the National Collegiate Equestrian Association.

Texas A&M is ranked No. 2 in the NCEA. DSU is not ranked. The Sept. 24 meet was the Hornets' first of the season.

The meet featured four events: equitation on the flat, equitation over fences, horsemanship and reining. DSU won the reining event, and its western team tied Texas A&M.

Freshman Daicey Richardson earned a Most Outstanding Performer award in equitation on the flat. Riding Tito, she posted the highest score of the day, an 87, beating Texas A&M rider Londyn Samlaska by 6 points.

Senior Bailey Henderson took the second MOP award for DSU in reining. Riding Waldo, she scored 69.5 to top Texas A&M's Kennedy Marshall by 2 points.

Two other DSU riders tied their points against Texas A&M opponents. Senior Maddison Wocjeck rode Heff to a 68 in reining, matching Texas A&M's Dylanne Rodriguez. Junior Hallie Prater rode Fudge to a 72.5 in horsemanship, tying Texas A&M's Kendall Dirksen. Their scores were the highest of the meet.

The Hornets' showing against a top-ranked opponent in their first meet of the year marked a strong start to the season despite the final score.