The South Dakota State equestrian team finishes out the fall portion of the season with ECAC competitions this weekend against Delaware State and UT Martin in Felton, Delaware.
Both competitions will be held on Friday with events kicking off at 10 a.m. versus Delaware State at the Dovington Training Center before going up against UT Martin for the second time this season at 2 p.m.
So far this season, South Dakota State boasts a 2-2 record, earning victories in their last competitions against UC Davis, 11-9, and Minnesota Crookston, 12-4. The Jackrabbits dropped two meets early this season with back-to-back losses to Fresno State, 11-6, and UT Martin, 15-5.
ABOUT DELAWARE STATE: With three matches to their name, the Hornets hold a 1-2 record this season. DSU won its first competition against UM Crookston earlier in the year but took two losses in a row against South Carolina, 14-4, and Texas A&M, 15-4.
ABOUT UT MARTIN: The 10th-ranked Skyhawks will ride into their second conference competition against the Jackrabbits at 2-3. This year, UT Martin has earned victories over SDSU and UC Davis but has suffered losses to Fresno State (8-7), Oklahoma State (12-7) and Auburn (14-6). Both victories have been against conference opponents.
JUMPING SEAT HIGHLIGHTS: Hannah Steele has dominated in both jumping seat events for the Jackrabbits this season, holding an undefeated record in both fences and flat through four meets this season.
Steele also earned the ECAC Rider of the Week for her performances in the fences discipline on the Jackrabbits' opening weekend.
WESTERN HIGHLIGHTS: In her first two meets for SDSU, freshman Anna Minich finished with back-to-back Most Outstanding Performer awards, helping the Jacks beat both UC Davis and UM Crookston.
Emma Riggs joined Minich as an ECAC Rider of the Week in reining, while Minich earned it in horsemanship.
A LOOK AHEAD: After Friday's meets, the Jackrabbits will be off from competition until Jan. 30 against TCU in Fort Worth, Texas.