WELLINGTON, Fla. - South Dakota State hunt seat rider Megan Violand advanced all the way to the semifinal round at the prestigious Winter Equestrian Festival Collegiate Equitation Challenge on Friday before eventually falling in a close ride to the eventual champion.

"Unbelievable. I would have never guessed in my wildest dreams that she would made it that far," SDSU interim assistant coach Leigh Nichol said. "I'm very proud of Megan and her accomplishment, and she proved that South Dakota State equestrian is the real deal!"

A sophomore from Moorpark, Calif., Violand competed in individual over fences at the event, beating South Carolina's Megan McCormack 73-60 in the first round and Baylor's Kendra Vicary, 70-60 in the second round to advance to the semifinals.

Brooke Coleman of Texas A&M ended Violand's run with a 70-60 win in the semis, and then went on to defeat Auburn's Maggie McAlary in the finals.

RESULTS:

FIRST ROUND: Violand def. Megan McCormack of South Carolina, 73-60
SECOND ROUND: Violand def, Kendra Vicary of Baylor, 70-60
SEMI FINALS: Brooke Coleman of Texas A&M def. Violand, 70-60
FINALS: Coleman def. Maggie McAlary of Auburn, 75-65