From SDSU Sports Information

BROOKINGS – The South Dakota State equestrian team qualified in all four categories at the National Collegiate Equestrian Association tournament and saw its reiners advance to the quarterfinals last season. Now the squad is gearing up for the 2018-19 season, which begins with the annual Blue and Yellow scrimmage on Saturday at 8 a.m. at the DeHaan Equestrian Center.

Head coach Ellie Wilkins enters her fourth year at the helm after putting together a 5-7 overall record for the 2017-18 season. The team had a stellar 4-1 record at home, while also taking third place in the United Equestrian Conference Championship. Alongside her, new assistant coach Morgan DiGiulio will begin her first year at SDSU working with the Western team as the squad looks to put another competitive season together.

Coach Wilkins has added 12 new riders to the team, including Kodi O’Boyle, a sophomore transfer from Baylor, to the Western team. Amelia Nelson, Jadyn Taylor and Kendra Vroman will also join O’Boyle on the Western team and Alexa Maiello and Abrielle Reed will join the Hunt Seat side.

With plenty of returning talent, the improving Jackrabbits look to make the next step towards a UEC championship. The Jackrabbits have not won the conference championship since 2014, when they were the host team.

“With a lot of great talent returning and joining us, we’ll have a lot of depth this season and that will definitely make us stronger and give us a good shot to go back to nationals,” Wilkins said.

Riders to watch:

Jacey Chorlton, Sr.

Colchester, Conn.

Last year, Chorlton went 7-6 with three MOP honors in equitation on the flat, and scored a career-high 99 against Minnesota-Crookston, breaking the school record.

She also competed in all 14 meets in fences, going 6-8 with one one MOP honor, and scored a career-high 151 vs. Delaware State at the NCEA National Championship.

Chorlton was named to the American Paint Horse Association NCEA Academic Honor Roll for the second consecutive year, as well as the Farnam NCEA All-Academic Second Team.

Jordan Gates, Jr.

Wooster, Ohio

Gates finished 7-6 with one MOP honor in horsemanship last season and set a career-high postseason score of 148 against UT Martin at the conference tournament.

She went 6-7 with one MOP honor in Reining.

Catelyn Hall Jr.

Neligh, Neb.

Hall earned UEC Rider of the Month last November and finished the year 8-7 with one MOP honor in reining.

She scored a career-high 72 against Texas A&M and set a postseason career-high with a 141 against SMU. Hall was also named to the Farnam NCEA All-Academic Honorable Mention Team.

Jessica Martinez, Jr.

Chandler Heights, Ariz.

Last year, Martinez went 3-9 on the flat, scoring a career-high 95 against Minnesota-Crookston and then a career-high postseason score of 144 against Delaware State at the NCEA championship.

She went 6-7 on fences, scoring a postseason career-high 158 against UT Martin.

Martinez was also named to the Farnam NCEA All-Academic First Team and the American Paint Horse Association NCEA Academic Honor Roll.

Matilyn Skinner, Sr.

Lynden, Wash.

Last season, Skinner went 5-5 on the flat, scoring a career-high 88 against Minnesota-Crookston and a postseason career-high of 111 against UT Martin.

She also went 1-1 in fences and was named to the Farnam NCEA All-Academic Second Team and the American Paint Horse Association NCEA Academic Honor Roll.

Rylee Streit, Jr.

Holden, Mo.

Streit went 5-4-1 with one MOP honor in horsemanship and scored a postseason career-high 146 at nationals.

She also recorded a career-high 72.5 against Fresno State on her way to being named to the Farnam NCEA All-Academic Second Team and the American Paint Horse Association NCEA Academic Honor Roll.

Whitney Vesey, Sr.

Indianola, Iowa

Vesey finished 6-5 with one MOP honor in horsemanship, posting a career-high 75 against North Dakota State.

She was also named to the Farnam NCEA All-Academic Honorable Mention Team.