Oklahoma State University Athletics
Equestrian Team Set to host Two Western Shows
April 03, 2003 | Cowgirl Equestrian
"We are excited to be back home again," head coach Larry Sanchez said. "We know the horses, we know the arena and you don't have to deal with the stresses of traveling. And at home we have fan support which helps us excel."
The Cowgirls enter the weekend No. 2 in the region in western with 72 points. Texas A&M holds the top spot with 75 points. West Texas A&M is in third with 68 points, while Kansas State rounds out the top four with 64 points.
"We feel like we are with in striking distance in taking the lead in our region," Sanchez said. "It has been a very tough season so far but I feel like we have been performing really well and I feel like the girls have been riding better than ever." Sanchez said.
Sul Ross State is in fifth with 17 points, while Texas Tech is in sixth with 12 points. Tarleton State, Southeast Oklahoma State and UT-Austin rounds out the bottom half with 4,2 and 0 points, respectively.
This weekend will mark first time the Cowgirls have been in the saddle since the Texas A&M Western Show back in November.
The Cowgirls came within one point of leader Texas A&M with a season-high 23 points after the first day, before recording 17 points the second day to put them three points behind regional leader Texas A&M.
After four shows two Cowgirls have qualified for regionals, senior Cassie Cavanaugh and junior Emily Hoaglan.
Cavanaugh and Hoaglan each needed 35 points to qualify for regionals. Cavanaugh has accumulated 38 points in Intermediate, while Hoaglan has recorded 37 points in Beginner.
Three other Cowgirls are within five points of qualifying for regionals in their respective classes. Sophomores Luann Ulrich and Chandy Hale have accumulated 30 and 33 points, respectively, in Intermediate, while senior Kate Hayes has recorded 30 points in Advanced. A total of 35 points is needed to qualify for regionals in each of the classes.
"The girls that have actually qualified for regionals are to the point where you can put another level on them as far as where they are in their riding," Sanchez said. "I always look forward to the post season because there is usually a smaller number of girls to deal with and, therefore, you can give more one-on-one attention to each of them. And you also see a lot more progression in each of them when you can spend more time with them."
In the team competition, the team that has the most team points after the regular season will represent the region at nationals at Cazenovia College, NY.
Individually, the top-three finishers after regionals will compete at zones and the top-two at zones will go on to compete at nationals.
The Cowgirls will look to come away from the weekend with the lead heading into the last two shows of the year, which will be held at West Texas A&M in Canyon, Texas, on Feb. 23-24.
Team Standings
Texas A&M (75) Oklahoma State (72) West Texas A&M (68) Kansas State (64) Sul Ross State (17) Texas Tech (12) Tarlton State (4) Southeast Oklahoma St. (2) UT-Austin (0)
