Cowgirl Equestrian Returns Home to Face Texas A&M

Complete Notes (PDF)

The Basics
The No. 5 Oklahoma State equestrian team returns home to face the No. 4 Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday, Oct. 21, at Pedigo-Hull Equestrian Center. This is the first matchup between the schools since the 2022 NCEA National Championship meet, where the Cowgirls claimed their first overall NCEA title in program history. The Cowgirls are 1-2 on the season and 1-1 in Big 12 conference play. The Aggies are 2-0 with a win over SEC foe Georgia on Oct. 6. OSU earned its first win of the season against Baylor but fell short against SMU in the past weekend series. OSU trails the all-time series 15-17, but the past 10 matchups have been an even 5-5. The meet is scheduled to start at 11 a.m.

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 its record against the Aggies to 16-17.
- Be it's fourth-straight win against the Aggies.
- Improve its record at home against the Aggies to 8-3.
- Improve head coach Larry Sanchez' career record to 179-101.

"We are excited to be back at home this Saturday," head coach Larry Sanchez said. "I hope we have a lot of orange in the bleachers as it is special to compete in front of your home crowd. A&M is a very good team, and it should be a great meet."

Cowgirl MOPs
Vs TCU: Hogan (Fences), McDowall (Horsemanship)
At Baylor: Hogan (Flat), Budd (Reining)
At SMU: Holway (Fences), Clark (Reining)

Who to Watch

Junior Riley Hogan has gotten off to a hot start to begin the year, as she already has two MOPs under her belt. Hogan has five MOPs in Fences and two in Flat in her career.
Quincee Clark has turned a corner in the season after dropping the first ride of the year against TCU. Clark won both her rides during the Texas road trip and earned MOP against SMU.
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 and a career-high 90 points against SMU.
After losing the first ride of the season, captain Maddie Fussell is back on track with a pair of consecutive road victories against Baylor and SMU. The senior captain is the only Horsemanship rider over the Texas road trip to win both rides.
Freshman Bella Holway put forth a 91-point effort against SMU in just her third collegiate ride. It tops the list of freshmen performances in the event in OSU history and is the second highest among any riders in program history. Holway is 2-0-1 to start her career.
Paige Jones appeared in a competition for the first time this season against SMU. She improved her winning streak to four rides in Fences and tied for a career-best 82 points.
Abby Budd scored MOP honors in just her second collegiate ride. Against Baylor, the sophomore scored a crucial point with a 70.5-62.5 victory to seal the victory for the Cowgirls.

Food Trucks Available
BABS and Fruity Patooties will cater the meet. The trucks will arrive at Pedigo-Hull Equestrian Center at 10:30 a.m.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Abby Budd

Quincee Clark

Maddie Fussell

Riley Hogan

Bella Holway

Paige Jones

Sydney North

Oklahoma State University Athletics