Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Baylor
Cowgirl Equestrian Upsets Baylor in Home Opener
October 13, 2018 | Cowgirl Equestrian
Scoresheet
STILLWATER – The No. 7 Oklahoma State equestrian team upset No. 3 Baylor, 11-9, in dramatic fashion Saturday at Totusek Arena.
The meet came down to the very end as the Cowgirls (1-1, 1-0) took four of the five Reining points to complete the comeback. Hannah Mitchell's point proved to be the meet winner as she defeated Madaline Callaway, 71.5-65, on Bueno.
With the meet on the line, Baylor's Abbi Demel was the last rider of the day and had a chance to tie things up at 10. However, she fell just short of Stephanie Helsen, 70-69.5, on Boss.
"We're lucky to come away with a win," said OSU head coach Larry Sanchez. "Baylor has a very strong team, and they rode well all day long. Thanks to our Reining riders that kept their minds where they needed to be."
The Cowgirls jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in Fences to start the day, courtesy of Abigail Brayman, Sydnie Ziegler and Hannah Janson. Ziegler earned Equitation over Fences MOP for her 85-79 victory over Shannon Hogue.
After Horsemanship and halfway through the meet, Baylor tied things up at 5-5. Maddie Bender, who was the Horsemanship MOP, and Natalie Alcorn scored Horsemanship points for the Cowgirls.
Next up was Equitation on the Flat, where Katie Schell briefly secured the lead again for OSU, 6-5, after defeating Hogue, 79-74. Brayman later scored her second point of the day as she pulled the Cowgirls back within one at 8-7 headed into Reining.
"We're telling them all the time, 'It's never over 'til it's over,'" Sanchez said. "You have to always stay up."
Hunter De Jane edged Carly Salter, 71.5-71, to start Reining off. Baylor's Sydney Scheckel quickly countered with a point of her own to put the Bears back on top.
However, it wouldn't last long as Kristi Wiggins defeated Georgia Smith, 69-68.5, to tie the meet at 9-9. Mitchell then rode into the arena to secure the win and an MOP honor.
"Our goal is to continue to get better and better every meet of the year until we get to the postseason," Sanchez said.
The Cowgirls hit the road for an SEC road trip next week as OSU faces defending national champion Auburn on Oct. 19 and Georgia on Oct. 20.
