DOVER, Del. (Sept. 29, 2026) – Four Delaware State University equestrian riders earned Eastern College Athletic Conference Rider of the Week honors in the Dual Discipline category for the week ending Sept. 27, the ECAC announced Tuesday.
Melissa Acker, Daicey Richardson, Cheyenne Brand and Raegan Rapier each took home the award in their events after the Hornets opened their season with a 13-5 loss to No. 2 Texas A&M on Sept. 24 and a 15-4 win over Minnesota Crookston on Sept. 25.
Fences: Melissa Acker
Sophomore Melissa Acker scored a 90 over fences to beat her Minnesota Crookston opponent by eight points. Her score was the highest fences mark of the meet and earned her Most Outstanding Performer honors.
Flat: Daicey Richardson
Freshman Daicey Richardson went undefeated in two flat rides in her NCEA debut weekend. She scored an 87 to beat her Texas A&M opponent by six points, then posted an 88 to top her Minnesota Crookston opponent by five. She recorded the highest flat score in both meets and earned MOP honors each time.
Horsemanship: Cheyenne Brand
Cheyenne Brand remained undefeated in two NCEA debut rides. She scored a 70 to beat her Texas A&M opponent by 1.5 points, then posted a 73 to win by half a point against Minnesota Crookston and earn MOP honors.
Reining: Raegan Rapier
Raegan Rapier also went undefeated in her debut weekend. She scored a 57 to beat her Texas A&M opponent by half a point, then posted a 70 to win by 1.5 points against Minnesota Crookston. Her score tied for the highest reining mark of the meet and earned her MOP honors.
Delaware State returns to competition October 2nd, 2026 against Baylor University.
For more information on Delaware State equestrian, visit: https://dsuhornets.com/sports/equestrian
