Oklahoma State University Athletics
Equestrian to Compete for Varsity National Championship
April 19, 2006 | Cowgirl Equestrian
“We are looking forward to the new format,” said head coach Larry Sanchez. “We are excited about this weekend and there are going to be a lot of talented programs in attendance. Our riders are going to have to ride their best to progress on.”
This season the championships have undergone a change and will feature a head-to-head tournament format instead of the usual running point totals. The Varsity Equestrian National Championships features the top varsity teams from around the country in both the Western and Hunt Seat disciplines. These championships are a forerunner to what will eventually become the NCAA Championships.
The Western half of the equestrian team will be looking to take home their third Varsity National Championship. The team won back-to-back titles in 2004 and 2003. Texas A&M took home the title last season while O-State finished runner-up.
The Western team is seeded fourth this season and will face South Carolina, the six seed, in the first round on Thursday.
The Hunt Seat team will be looking to capture their first Varsity Equestrian National Championship. Last season South Carolina took the title in Hunt Seat. Oklahoma State is seeded fourth this season and has a first round bye. The Cowgirls will take on the winner of the Auburn and West Texas A&M match up on Thursday.
The Hunt Seat team will look to add to their impressive list of accomplishment this season that include a regional title, zone title and a berth into next month's IHSA National Championships.
The Equestrian program will also be looking to win its first ever overall championship. The overall champion is determined by the combined placing of both the Western and Hunt Seat teams. South Carolina won the overall championship last season.
