Vikings Equestrian had a successful season opener at Mississippi State University where both the hunt seat and western teams finished with many respectable placings. 
 
Friday, October 13th kicked off with the Western show, where the Vikings finished reserve champion to Mississippi State University. Riders Autumn Lance and Brooke Backlund both rode to first place finishes, as well as Autumn Lance tying for high point rider of the show.
Placings of the western competition:
Reining:
Rette Solomon-2nd 
Autumn Lance- 3rd
 
Open Horsemanship:
Autumn Lance-1st 
Rette Solomon-2nd
 
Level 1 Horsemanship:
Taylor McIntosh-2nd
 
Level 2 Ranch Riding:
Brooke Backlund-1st
 
Rookie B Horsemanship:
Shelby Williams- 2nd 
 
Beginner Horsemanship:
Axa Stevens- 4th
 
Saturday began the hunt seat competition, where the team finished reserve champion with 39 points, just falling short to University of Georgia. First place rides were earned by Ellie Weinreb, Meaghan Kursman, Emily Sudderth, and Kinsey Patrick. There was a tie for the high point rider between Weinreb and Sudderth, where Elizabeth took the title.
 


Placings of the hunt seat competition 
Open Fences:
Elizabeth Weinreb- 2nd
Meaghan Kursman -6th
 
Open Flat:
Elizabeth Weinreb- 1st
Meaghan Kursman-1st 
 
Intermediate Fences:
Emily Sudderth- 2nd
 
Intermediate Flat:
Emily Sudderth-1st
 
Limit Fences:
Kinsey Patrick- 5th
 
Limit Flat:
Kinsey Patrick- 1st
Grace Bishop- 2nd
Fiona Albertson- 4th
 
Novice Flat:
Elissa Homer- 2nd
Shelby Willams-3rd
 
Beginner Flat:
Axa Stevens- 4th
 
Next weekend, the Vikings are back on home turf for a scrimmage against University of Georgia and Auburn University.