WACO, Texas – The National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) has announced the Standout Student-Athlete and Horse of the Month awards for the month of September, as voted on by the NCEA Awards Committee, released Thursday.
 
Sweet Briar's Wyette Felton is honored as the Standout Student-Athlete of the Month, while Lynchburg's Motaz is given the spotlight as the Horse of the Month.

Standout Student-Athlete of the Month
Every month the NCEA recognizes student-athletes for their accomplishments in the ring, however the NCEA would like to highlight athletes on their outstanding performances outside of the ring, including academics, philanthropy, outstanding attitude, and embodiment of an ideal teammate.
Name of Student-Athlete: Wyette Felton
School & Year: Sweet Briar, Senior
Hometown: Canton, Ga.
Major: Biology
Highlighted Accomplishments: 
Wyette was just recognized during Founders Day as a Nancy Godwin Baldwin '57 Scholar for her leadership and demonstration of academic achievements. She has started this season winning both of her points in our first meet with at least 10 points difference in the scores. In Fences she has an 85 against a 72 and on the Flat she scored an 84 to top a 74.
 
Coach’s Comments:
"Wyette is a great representative of a student-athlete leader. She is captain of the team and leads through example in and out of the classroom."
 
Horse of the Month
This highlight is focused on an outstanding horse, not just one that gets high score every meet or an “MOP horse” but one that shows heart and represents the values of its respective school.
Name of Horse (Barn & Show Name): Motaz
Discipline: Fences
School: Lynchburg
Donated By: Sophie Deegan
Highlighted Accomplishments: 
Motaz was not only the high-scoring Fences horse in both of Lynchburg's home meets this month, but his riders recieved MOP honors on both days of competition. In Lynchburg's meet against No. 2 College of Charleston, Olivia Lonneman edged out Hornet rider Becca Collier 88-87 for the point and the honor, while in the Lynchburg-Centenary meet, Lynchburg sophomore Stella Patenaude earned the MOP for her score of 88 over Cyclone Elizabeth Furtkevic's 79.
 
Coach’s Comments:
"Motaz was the perfect draw for Fences competition in Lynchburg's September meets. On Friday he brought home the two highest scores of the day with an 88 and an 87, and helped Charleston's rider to MOP honors. On Saturday, despite rainy weather, he demonstrated again that he was up to the task with a second score of 88 in two days. He was the draw of the weekend!"
 
About the NCEA
A non-profit corporation, the NCEA is a governing body to advance the sport of equestrian. The NCEA is responsible for the development and administration of equestrian rules and guidelines. Equestrian is subject to all NCAA policies and procedures in the same manner as other sports. In 1998, Equestrian was identified and adopted by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Committee on Women's Athletics (CWA) as an emerging sport for women at the Division I and II levels. 
 
NCEA competitions are in a head-to-head format, and schools may choose to compete as a single or dual discipline team (Jumping Seat and Western). Each discipline has two events: in Jumping Seat, Fences and Flat, and in Western, Horsemanship and Reining. Teams can have five riders per event, with horses assigned by random draw at the start of the competition. Riders from opposing teams compete on the same horse, and whichever rider receives the higher score earns one point for her team. The level of difficulty is demonstrated by the accuracy of the pattern and how the competitor uses the horse to the best of her ability.
 
To stay up to date all year long on all things NCEA Equestrian, follow the organization on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @NCEA_Equestrian and @ncea_eq.