Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirl Western Team Travels To NMSU
February 08, 2011 | Cowgirl Equestrian
Feb. 8, 2011
STILLWATER, Okla. – The No. 4 Oklahoma State equestrian western team (6-1) travels to Las Cruces, N.M., Saturday to take on the New Mexico State Aggies (4-1) at the New Mexico State Equestrian Center.
About the Pokes
The Cowgirls are coming off of a 12-6 victory over the Kansas State Wildcats. The western team dominated, beating the Wildcats 6-2 and picking up both MVPs. Through seven events this season, the western team has earned 13 of the 14 possible MVP honors and holds a 45-19-7 record in head-to-head competition.
About the Aggies
The New Mexico State western team is 4-1 on the season and coming off of a 3-1 victory over Fresno State. The squad is also on a four competition winning streak.
Perfection
Caroline Daniels leads an undefeated reining squad that has outpaced its opponents in head-to-head competition, going a combined 25-7-3. The junior is 7-0 on the season and is coming off a 76.5-75.5 victory over her Wildcat counterpart.
Horsemanship
Competing for the Cowgirls in horsemanship are seniors Ashley Kennedy and Courtney Whitacre, junior Mamie Tomlin, sophomore Marissa Dalton and redshirt freshman Lauren Halvorson. The horsemanship squad is 6-1 on the season.
Reining
Senior Bri Parnell, juniors Caroline Daniels and Rachel Houchin, sophomore Christy McElreath and freshman Jenna Blumer are set to ride for the Cowgirls in reining.
Collegiate Equitation Challenge
The western team isn't the only Cowgirl equestrian affiliate to compete this weekend; hunter seat athlete Samantha Elser is will compete in the second-annual Collegiate Equitation Challenge, which will be held at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Fla., on Feb. 11.
The freshman has a team-high five head-to-head wins in equitation over fences this season, including an MVP performance in the first ride of her collegiate career. The feat came against the University of Tennessee-Martin in the opening competition of the season. Elser's ride earned a score of 90, the highest score of the season in that discipline for the Cowgirls. She has won four-straight head-to-head matches and is coming off of a 75-74 victory over her Kansas State counterpart in the Cowgirls' 12-6 win over the Wildcats last week.
