We were just building a program. After the first three shows, we were either first or second everywhere we went. K-State went everywhere it competed. With its equestrian complex still in the feasibility-study stage, it had no shows at home. The team has about 15 horses on which to practice, but since horses don't travel, all the Wildcats' accomplishments came on other teams' mounts.
Equestrian competition is broken into two divisions, Western and English.
Simply put, Western riders wear cowboy hats and ride patterns, while English riders are more formally attired and jump fences. Rue and Reynolds will be part of the English competition, Rue in both novice fences and flat and Reynolds in intermediate fences. The random drawing that paired riders and horses was good to her last year, she said. This week's drawing could help or, just as easily, hurt her this week. Every time out, you start from scratch.