CANYON, TEXAS - West Texas A&M makes the short trip down to Lubbock this weekend to compete in a pair of Hunt Seat competitions on March 6-7, along with the Hunt Seat Regionals on Sunday, March 8. 
 
The Lady Buffs have earned High Point Team honors in five of the six hunt seat competitions that they have competed in the season. In their season opener at Oklahoma, WT picked up a total of eight victories before winning High Point Team honors in November in Argyle.
 
They were also named High Point Team during their home competition on Feb. 15-16 at the WTAMU Horse Center. Ava Charrlin earned Reserve High Point Rider on the opening after finishing first in intermediate equitation and second in intermediate equitation over fences.  
 
The Lady Buffs compete in both Equitation on the Flat and Equitation over Fences during Hunt Seat shows. The shows offer eight different levels. Similar to Western competitions, riders are placed in their level based on their previous show experience before their collegiate career. Equitation on the Flat is judged on how well the riders communicate their mounts and on their position. Flat classes are judged at the walk, trot, and canter. The judge may test the riders by asking for specific maneuvers or for a short pattern.
 
Equitation over Fences is also judged on position; however, riders are asked to complete a designated course over fences. The correctness and flow of the course is also judged. Novice, Intermediate, and Open classes may show on the flat and over fences. Novice classes have a more basic course while the degree of difficulty increases for the Intermediate and Open courses.