Waco, TX - Varsity Equestrian has announced the 2010-2011 All-American award recipients – the first time Varsity Equestrian has awarded All-American status as well as Honorable Mention All-American status to the top equestrian student athletes in the country. The Varsity Equestrian Selection Committee had the difficult task of awarding the top four equestrian athletes in each of the respective events offered by Varsity Equestrian – equitation on the flat, equitation over fences, horsemanship and reining.

The 2011 All-American awards will be presented at the opening ceremony at this year’s Varsity Equestrian National Championships, hosted by Baylor University at the Extraco Events Center in Waco, TX. Opening ceremonies will be held Wednesday, April 13, at 6 p.m. at the Extraco Events Center. A welcome banquet will follow.

Honorable Mention All-American status was determined by the Adjusted National Ranking Score, which combines the student athletes’ win /loss record, adjusted average win margin, adjusted average score and the number of MVPs awarded. Those athletes who have a winning percentage of 67%, compete in a minimum of five competitions, and have an adjusted season composite National Ranking Score (NRS) of 85 for equitation on the flat, 90 for equitation over fences, 80 for reining, and 80 for the horsemanship event, will be awarded Honorable Mention All-American status.

In equitation on the flat, All-American honors will be awarded to Carly Anthony of the University of Georgia, Maggie McAlary of Auburn University, Michelle Morris of the University of Georgia and Lindsay Portela of Auburn University. Caroline Cramer of the University Tennessee-Martin, Kara Fergusson of Baylor University, Lisa Goldman of Baylor University, Kelsey Hart of the University of South Carolina, Chelsae Keyes of New Mexico State University, Christina Lin of Auburn University, Grace Rogers of the University of Georgia, Allison Rose of Oklahoma State University, Callie Selchau of Texas Christian University, and Grace Socha of Auburn University will round out the Honorable Mention All-American recognition.

In Equitation over fences, Carly Anthony of the University of Georgia, Maggie McAlary of Auburn University, Abby O’Mara of the University of Georgia, and Jordyn Pettersen of Southern Methodist University will be awarded All-American status with Taylor Brown of Baylor University, Kimberley Hewson Budnik of Fresno State, Lia Chafee of Texas A&M University, Brooke Coleman of Texas A&M University, Carolyn Curcio of the University of South Carolina, Holly Elsbernd of Fresno State University, Kacy Jenkins of the University of Georgia, Ali Loprete of Auburn University, Michelle Morris of the University of Georgia, Anna Schierholz of Auburn University, and Emily Williams of Texas A&M University awarded with Honorable Mention All-American status.

In the horsemanship event, Courtney Chown of Texas Christian University, Lauren Halvorson of Oklahoma State University, Johnna Letchworth of the University of South Carolina, and Indy Roper of Auburn University earned All-American honors. Honorable Mention All-American status will be awarded to Kelsey Adams of Texas A&M University, Ashley Aikman of Texas Christian University, Kelly Bovaird of Kansas State University, Maggie Fortune of the University of South Carolina, Katie Lisabeth of Texas A&M University, Carey Nowacek of Texas A&M University, and Maria Salazar of the University of Georgia.

In the reining event, Caroline Daniels of Oklahoma State University, Angela Gebhart of South Dakota State University, Indy Roper of Auburn University, and Diandra St. Hilaire of the University of Georgia will be awarded All-American status. Rachel Houchin of Oklahoma State University and McKenzie Lantz of the University of Georgia will be acknowledged as Honorable Mention All-American award winners.

“This is a very exciting time for Varsity Equestrian,” said Lindsay Neubarth, Varsity Equestrian Steering Committee chair. “This is the first year that we are able to award and acknowledge the top equestrian student-athletes in the country. This inaugural induction class really has something to be proud of. It is a true honor to be selected and these young ladies have represented their schools well.”

For more information about the 2011 Varsity Equestrian National Championships log onto www.varsityequestrian.com, or follow on Facebook “Varsity Equestrian”. Baylor University will have complete scores and updates during the competition on www.baylorbears.com

ENDS