The No. 6 ranked K-State equestrian team will face the No. 3 ranked Auburn Tigers (9-3) and No. 10 ranked New Mexico State Aggies (4-3) today and Saturday at Timber Creek Stables to close out the regular season.
K-State (4-7) and Auburn squared off on Sept. 23 in K-State’s first match of the season. Auburn walloped the Wildcats with a score of 14-4. K-State is looking to avenge that lopsided loss to the Tigers today.
On Saturday, the Wildcats will take on New Mexico State, a team in the midst of a two-match losing streak. K-State will have the advantage of sending out its two best riders this weekend.
On the English side, junior Stephanie Patterson has been one of K-State’s most consistent riders. Patterson has seven wins and three losses and has won three match MVP awards this season.
The Western side will send out a less experienced but an equally accomplished rider in freshman Kelly Bovaird. Like Patterson, Bovaird has a record of seven wins, three losses and three match MVP awards. Bovaird and three other riders will compete in the horsemanship category.
It will be a group of seniors that steal the spotlight this weekend, though. Seniors Christina Costello, Soffia Farrall de Cruz, Erica Mackiewicz, Jen Rawle, Jenni Wright and Jennifer Wright will be recognized on Saturday. However, they will not compete this weekend against Auburn or New Mexico State.