The WTAMU Lady Buffs Equestrian team had their first event of the season on Sept. 18-19 as they took on New Mexico State University.

The competition was a scrimmage event to help the team prepare for the rest of the season against teams around Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. Individually, team members rode in a head-to-head match against NMSU riders.

On the English side of the show, WT rider Amy Mitchem won her match in Equitation over Fences. Mitchem was also the only WT rider to make her way onto the score sheet in English, tying against her NMSU competitor in Equitation on the Flat.

WT faired better in Western, with three riders tying in their matches. Kelsey Kenson and Kristen Liesman both tied in their reining matches and Christa Forsberg tied in Horsemanship.

“The show really showed us our strengths and weaknesses. This was us after only two weeks of practice. With more time we are going to be unstoppable,” WT rider Livi Ron said.

The team will compete all season in the southern region to qualify for IHSA National Championships in Raleligh, N.C. in the spring and will have two home events this fall.

“The horse show this weekend was a great season opener,” said Mitchem. “I feel like it was very beneficial. I think it was great for us as a team to get out and work together early in the season.”

The team’s next show will take place on Oct. 8 at WT’s Horse Center, where they will take on multiple teams from the region.