WACO, Texas – Oklahoma State defeated TCU, 10-9, to earn its fourth consecutive and 10th overall Big 12 title Saturday at the Willis Family Equestrian Center.
Head coach Larry Sanchez has led OSU to becoming the first program in Big 12 history to win four-straight equestrian conference titles.
“The pride I have in our riders is unmeasurable,” Sanchez said. “They stuck it out until the end and found themselves reaping the benefits. TCU is as tough as they come, and our riders hung right with them. It took a special group of athletes to take home the 10th Big 12 title back to Stillwater.”
Riley Hogan and Sydney North led the way for the Cowgirls, earning the tournament MOP in Fences and Flat, respectively, after going undefeated on the weekend in their respective events.
In addition, Hogan, Grace McReynolds, Claire McDowall, Emma Filiatreau and Tristan Bagby earned All-Big 12 accolades for their performances.
Saturday’s meet began with Reining and Fences as OSU’s Fences squad swept TCU for the second time this season, with the last time coming in the season opener. On the year, the Fences squad outscored opponents 40-27 with two sweeps.
Riley Hogan and Sydney North led the way with an 87.33- and 87-point performance, respectively. They become the first duo this year to reach at least an 87-point score on three separate occasions.
Grace McReynolds’ winning streak continued to seven rides as she solidified her all-conference honor. Bella Holway and Paige Jones also came through with a pair of 5-plus point victories.
The Cowgirls entered halftime with a 7-3 lead after Reining, when Abby Budd and Ava Bush scored two points for the Cowgirls. The pair concluded the tournament undefeated, with Budd averaging the highest score among all Cowgirl Reiners.
After an intermission, the meet continued with Flat and Horsemanship.
OSU allowed a sweep in Horsemanship, despite consistent high scores, to give TCU an 8-7 lead with only Flat to go.
OSU’s Flat squad closed out the tournament with clutch performances from Hogan, North and Ella Reinauer. TCU secured the first win in the Flat event to put them at nine points.
North’s point put the Cowgirls within two points of the victory. McReynolds tied with TCU’s Ella Bostwick to avoid a tiebreaker. Hogan took the point by eight points against Lilly Goldstein to force a tie, and Reinauer’s 88.33 score in the first round was too much for TCU’s Laurel Smith to beat.
he Cowgirls travel to Ocala, Florida, next to compete for the national title with an 8-6 record and 6-2 conference record. The tournament starts April 18.
For more information on the Cowgirls, continue to check back with okstate.edu.
