Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Baylor
Cowgirl Equestrian Set for a Pair of Road Matchups
October 10, 2023 | Cowgirl Equestrian
Complete Notes (PDF)
The Basics
The No. 5 Oklahoma State equestrian team travels south for a multi-meet weekend, taking on No. 7 Baylor in Waco on Oct. 13 and No. 3 SMU in Dallas on Oct. 14. OSU is coming off a 10-9 loss to No. 1 TCU and looks to right the ship against a pair of top-10 teams. The meet against the Bears is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. CST. Against the Mustangs, the competition kicks off at 10 a.m. CST.
About the Cowgirls
The Cowgirls are led by 25th-year head coach Larry Sanchez, fifth-year assistant Laura Brainard, second-year assistant Carter Anderson, first-year assistant Alle Durkin and consultant Jody Brainard.
Fresh Faces on Staff
Alle Durkin and Jody Brainard enter their first year with the Cowgirls. Durkin, a former rider at Texas A&M joins Carter Anderson as OSU's second assistant Jumping Seat coach. Prior to her time at Texas A&M, Durkin trained under the tutelage of several leaders in the equestrian world, such as Kevin Babington and Kenny and Linda Langmeier. While working with Babington as a student worker, she developed skills in training and caring for top-level horses, along with gaining experience in business and equine management activities. Brainard, uncle of OSU Western assistant coach Laura Brainard, joins OSU as a consultant in the Reining event. Brainard brings over 40 years of experience to OSU's team, highlighted by his time spent as a professional horseman and his established credibility in training horses. He's held titles such as official, researcher, monitor and mentor to go along with his status as a professional.
Conference Leaders
The Cowgirls went 6-2 against Big 12 opponents last season, including two wins on their way to the program's second conference championship three-peat, something no team in the Big 12 has done.
An Oklahoma State Win Would...
- Improve the Cowgirls record against the Bears to 36-13.
- Be its first conference victory of the season.
- Improve coach Larry Sanchez' Big 12 conference record to 66-34 since 2006-07.
- Improve the Cowgirls record against the Mustangs to 11-6.
- Improve its record to .500 or better for the first time this season.
"We are really looking forward to getting on the road this weekend and competing against two very good Texas schools," head coach Larry Sanchez said. "Both Baylor and SMU are traditionally strong opponents and I believe we are up for the challenge."
Cowgirl MOPs
Vs TCU: Hogan (Fences), McDowall (Horsemanship)
Who to Watch
· Junior Riley Hogan is coming off a breakthrough sophomore campaign, which culminated in her first All-American selection. She went 13-3 in Fences in 2022-23 and earned four MOPs, two of which came against Lynchburg as she rode both Fences and Flat. Against TCU, she scored her first point of the year by scoring an 86 in Fences, on the way to her fifth career MOP in the event.
· Claire McDowall looks to emerge as one of the top Horsemanship riders in the country this season. The senior has compiled a career record of 1-4-1 and is coming off her first All-American selection. She won her first point of the year against TCU and earned MOP in the process.
· OSU's Fences squad swept the Fences event in the first meet of the season. Riley Hogan led the Cowgirls by earning MOP honors with the highest score of the day, 86. It was her 20th career Fences win. Cowgirl freshmen Bella Holway and Ellie DuPuis came away with their first respective career victories.
· Sydney North returned to OSU for her graduate year. North has been a four-year starter and looks to compile one of the highest win totals in a Cowgirl career in program history. She got things going in the 2023-24 season with her 25th career win in Fences against TCU.
· Bella D'Onofrio and Emma Filiatreau competed in their first collegiate meet against TCU. The Western riders won both of their first rides, with Filiatreau scoring OSU's lone point in Reining.
· Second-year captain Grace McReynolds enters her senior season as one of the most complete Jumping Seat riders on the OSU roster. Specializing primarily in Flat, McReynolds is a capable competitor in Fences as well.
Players Mentioned
