Sept. 17, 2009

DALLAS, (SMU) - The SMU equestrian team will kick off its 2009-10 season this weekend, by traveling to SEC country to take on Auburn and Georgia. Georgia, who the Mustangs will face Sunday, is the defending overall Varsity Equestrian National Champion.

Last year SMU lost 7-3 to the Tigers in Dallas. However the raw score was much closer than the point total indicated, with Auburn just a 16-point advantage at 715-699. Claire Wenholz won her matchup in the equitation on the flat by a hair, defeating Katie Breedlove 84-83.

The Mustangs come into Sunday's game against Georgia with confidence after splitting the season series a year ago. Each team defended its home turf, with SMU downing the Bulldogs 7-5 in its home opener on Nov. 24. Wenholz earned MVP honors that day in the equitation on the flat, defeating Katie Hagerty of UGA, 89-80.

Friday's game against Auburn will mark the first for new SMU head coach Haley Schoolfield. Schoolfield comes to Dallas after two years at TCU, and was a part of the Horned Frogs national championship in 2008.