Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirl Equestrian Takes on Pair of Top 5 Opponents
January 27, 2010 | Cowgirl Equestrian
Jan. 27, 2010
The fifth-ranked Oklahoma State women's equestrian team (3-2, 2-1) will travel to SEC country to take on South Carolina and Auburn this weekend. The Cowgirls will go head-to-head with the No. 4 Gamecocks on Saturday in Columbia, S.C., before traveling to Auburn, Ala., to take on the top-ranked Auburn Tigers. "We only get as tough as our toughest competition, and this weekend will tell us where we are at this point in the season," coach Larry Sanchez said. Senior Ally Blais leads the Cowgirls this weekend. The 2008-09 VENC individual national champion in equitation on the flat is 4-1 this season on the flat, garnering MVP honors in each of her head-to-head wins. Joining Blais in equitation on the flat against South Carolina is senior Jen McLaughlin, junior Alice White and sophomores Sarah Brown and Jordan White. In equitation over fences Blais, Alice White and Jordan White will be joined by juniors Hannah Beresford and Erin Prutow. Cowgirl freshman Marissa Dalton highlights the western team. She looks to improve on an undefeated 4-0 record and 2 MVPs in horsemanship against the Gamecocks. Senior Suzanne Randolph, junior Courtney Whitacre and sophomores Nichole Chirico and Mamie Tomlin joinr Dalton on the western squad. Seniors Leah Kuehn, Rachell Shobe and Molly Tipton and sophomores Caroline Daniels and Rachel Houchin ride for the Cowgirls in reining. The only change in lineups against Auburn will be the addition of freshman Christy McElreath, who will replace Rachel Houchin in reining. Last time out the Cowgirls dropped their first home event of the season to third-ranked Texas A&M, 15-12. Last year the Cowgirls defeated Auburn 11-9 in the regular season finale. The hunt seat dropped their only meeting with South Carolina last year in the second round of the Varsity Equestrian National Championships, 1-6-1.
