The Basics
No. 7 Oklahoma State Equestrian are back home this weekend to take on No. 2 TCU in a pivotal Big 12 matchup. The Cowgirls are coming off their first road win of the season, narrowly defeating No. 8 Baylor 10-9 in Waco. The Horned Frogs extended their win streak to seven with a 15-4 route of No. 4 Texas A&M in Fort Worth in their last meet.
About the Cowgirls
The Cowgirls are led by 24th-year head coach Larry Sanchez, fourth-year assistant Laura Brainard and first-year assistant Carter Anderson.
Fresh Face on Staff
Carter Anderson joined the Cowgirl staff as the Jumping Seat assistant coach after one season at UT-Martin, where she was named the Eastern College Athletic Conference Equestrian Assistant Coach of the Year. In her one season on the UT-Martin staff, Anderson oversaw a group of jumping seat riders that was amongst the ECAC conference's best. The jumping unit collected 44 victories and 10 MOPs in fences to go along with 38 wins and eight MOPs in flat.
Defending Our Turf
The Cowgirls have been dominant in Stillwater, winning 28 of their last 30 home meets dating back to 2018, including a stretch of 20 in a row. OSU is 3-1 at home this season, with two of the wins coming against ranked opponents (Baylor and Georgia). Their opponent this weekend, TCU, has only won once in Stillwater in 13 tries.
Making History
Oklahoma State entered the 2022-23 season as the defending NCEA National Champions after winning the first overall title in program history last spring. The Cowgirls also became the first women's team in OSU history to win a national championship in any sport.
Conference Leaders
The Cowgirls went 9-1 against Big 12 opponents last season, including two wins on their way to a title at the Big 12 Championship and two more at the NCEA National Championships. This year they are 3-1 in conference meets, putting them in a tie atop the Big 12 standings with TCU.
MOPs Everywhere
In its two meets of the spring to this point, Oklahoma State has collected six of the eight possible MOPs awarded. Senior Sydney North claimed the honor is both meets, joining Jojo Roberson as the only Cowgirl to earn MOP in back-to-back meets this season. Claire McDowall, Hannah Lovrien, Jojo Roberson and Molly Mitchell have each earned one as well so far this spring.
An Oklahoma State Win Would...
- Improve the Cowgirls to 31-13 in the TCU series.
- Improve the Cowgirls to 13-1 against TCU at home.
- Give it three wins in the last four meetings.
- Extend its win streak to three, its longest of the season.
Coach's Thoughts
"We are looking forward to competing at home this weekend," head coach Larry Sanchez said. "TCU is a good team that has been riding well this year. This will be a great meet for Senior Day as we celebrate this incredible class that has been our backbone for the past four years."
Cowgirls To Watch
• Senior Sydney North couldn't have started the spring any better, earning two MOPs and tying her career high in the first two meets. North joins Jojo Roberson as the only Cowgirls to earn MOPs in back-to-back meets this season.
• Jojo Roberson earned her fourth-straight Horsemanship point and another MOP against Baylor, winning 77-73. The senior has posted an average Horsemanship score of 77.8 in her last four meets while racking up three MOPs in the process.
• Molly Mitchell played a big role in the Cowgirls' withstanding a comeback effort from Baylor, winning a clutch Reining point, 71.5-60.5, to earn MOP for the second time this season.
• Dual-threat senior Hope King won both of her points against Baylor while making history with her Flat ride. Her 92 set a new career high and made her the fourth Cowgirl in program history to reach that score, joining Carly Barrick, Maggie Drysch and Katie Pelzel.
• Hannah Lovrien came through when the Cowgirls needed it most against Baylor. With OSU leading 9-8, Lovrien rode to a 70.5 in Reining to earn her point and secure the Cowgirl victory.
