October 14, 2006
The Texas A&M equestrian team will open the home portion of its schedule against Southern Methodist at N.W. 'Dick' Freeman Arena on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Sunday's head-to-head match with the Mustangs will consist of only English riding. SMU is currently only fielding English, or hunt seat, riders in varsity competitions at the present time.
The Aggies will have six riders take on six Mustangs in both flat and fences for a total of 12 opportunities to score points for the team. The first team to score seven points will be declared the winner, however all matches will play out to determine a final margin of victory or defeat.
The Aggies are coming off an 11-5 victory at Stephen F. Austin on Sept. 30 in Nacogdoches. The English riders stepped to the forefront in that show, recording seven of the Aggies? 11 individual wins. Junior Ashlie Soderstrom (Lake Oswego, Ore.) was named flat rider of the show while senior Erica Palomo (St. Petersburg, Fla. earned similar honors over fences. SMU is coming off a 5-3 loss to New Mexico State last Saturday.
Sunday's competition was originally scheduled to be a doubleheader with both first-year program Delaware State and SMU, however due to travel difficulties the competition was scaled down to just a lone match against the Mustangs. There will however be four individual head-to-head exhibition matches prior to the 2 p.m. show against SMU that will consist of four Aggies taking on two riders from both Delaware State and Southern Methodist. Those four exhibitions are slated to begin at noon.
There will be several promotional activities for children taking place throughout the duration of the show. Those Aggie riders not competing will set up a station for their younger fans to take pictures with one of their ponies as well as some members of the team. There will also be face painting and games planned into the show schedule. Additionally, there will be a drawing amongst the Girl Scouts in attendance with the winner capturing the opportunity to spend an entire day with a member of the Texas A&M equestrian team during the Aggies' show against Baylor on Nov. 12.