Martin, Tenn. -- University of Lynchburg's top-ranked National Collegiate Equestrian Association team swept the most outstanding performer honors Saturday but suffered its first loss of the 2022-23 season, a 7-3 decision to dual-discipline No. 10 UT Martin on the road.
Freshman Abby Zemp won the MOP award over fences, while sophomore Emma Schweizer won the honor on the flat. The two rides accounted for two of the three Hornet points.
Lynchburg rode well over fences, as four of the Hornets' five rides scored 80 or higher, but the host Skyhawks rode better. Junior Jacqueline Needle's 81 on Pickle was bested by an 86-point ride out of and sophomores Fallyn Belcastro and Schweizer turned in an 82 and 83, respectively, each to get beat by only a point. Zemp had the high-point ride of the meet over fences, judged at 85, for a 20-point win on Dubay that helped Lynchburg avoid the shutout in the first half of competition.
Flat went similarly. All five Hornet riders topped 70 points, and three of Lynchburg's rides were judged better than 80, but UT Martin kept its momentum. Zemp led off the flat with an 85 atop Douglas only to see UTM's Haley Kane turn in an 88. Belcastro was judged at 81 on Tag to earn the Hornets' second point of the day, and Schweizer gave Lynchburg hope with an 89 on Luigi.
Despite strong final rides from junior Kelley McCormick (76, Frappe) and freshman MacKenna Moss (71, Jane), UTM took the final two points to win the meet outright.
Lynchburg (2-1, 2-0 ECAC Single Discipline) has two more NCEA meets on the schedule this fall; the Hornets will play host to Bridgewater Saturday, Nov. 12 and Sacred Heart Sunday, Nov. 13 at the Lynchburg Equestrian Center at Patrick Henry Family Services Farm. The Hornets' Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association team returns to action next, Nov. 5 at the University of Virginia IHSA show.
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