Auburn Equestrian Falls in Western in First Round of the Varsity Equestrian National Championships - AuburnTigers.com

Auburn Equestrian Falls in Western in First Round of the Varsity Equestrian National Championships Tigers lose 6-2 in Western to New Mexico State.

April 16, 2009

Waco, Texas - The Auburn equestrian team lost 6-2 in Western to New Mexico State Thursday in the first round of the 2009 Varsity Equestrian National Championships. The Aggies defeated the Tigers 3-1 in both Western Horsemanship and Western Reining.

"It was just a bad day for us," said Auburn head coach Greg Williams. "We had some rides that I was hoping would draw any better scores than they did, but we also beat ourselves. We didn't really deserve to win today. Our hats are off to New Mexico State for stepping up and beating us."

New Mexico State won Western Horsemanship 3-1. Aggie winners included Kate Chesley over Kylie Miller 140-0 (0 refers to a no score because of a penalty), Rachael Krause over Bailey Dymond 145-143 and Tonna Brooks over Amy Bohan 143-142. Auburn's Jessica Jones had the high score of the day defeating Codi Binkerd 146-143.

New Mexico State won Western Reining 3-1. Aggie winners included Ashley Dietz over Kim Pope 142-140.5, Kate Chesley over Lyndsey Jordan 134.5-131.5 and Tonna Brooks over Paige Monfore 125.5-110. Tiger winners include Jessica Jones over Rachael Krause 134.5-127.

In Hunt Seat, top-seeded Auburn had a bye in the first round. The Tigers will face eighth-seeded Kansas State. The second round took place Thursday afternoon and will finish Friday morning. The 2009 Varsity Equestrian National Championships will run through Saturday at the Heart of Texas Fair and Rodeo Complex in Waco, Texas.