Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirl Equestrian to Face SMU on Senior Day
February 15, 2024 | Cowgirl Equestrian
Live Stats (Link)
The Basics
Oklahoma State's seventh-ranked equestrian will celebrate its seniors as No. 3 SMU comes to Stillwater for the final home meet of the season on Saturday, Feb. 17, at Pedigo-Hull Equestrian Center. The Cowgirls are coming off a dominant conference win over Baylor and look to ride the momentum to upset the Mustangs. SMU claimed the victory over OSU in Dallas during the fall season, despite strong showings from OSU riders throughout. The meet is set to begin at 11 a.m.
About the Cowgirls
Head coach Larry Sanchez, in his 25th year at the helm, leads the Cowgirls alongside 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.
Hogan Makes History
Riley Hogan dropped a school-record setting MOP performance in Fences in the spring opener. She scored 95 points when faced with a 90-point score from her opponent. OSU's previous best score in the event is 92, showcasing Hogan's truly legendary ride. It serves as the highest score for the Cowgirls in any event and ties for the third-highest Fences score in NCEA history.
An Oklahoma State Win Would...
- improve its home record against SMU to 6-1.
- break a four-meet losing streak to the Mustangs.
- improve its season record to 4-5.
- be head coach Larry Sanchez' 12th win over SMU.
"Our Cowgirls are very excited for our second meet of the spring semester," head coach Larry Sanchez said. "SMU is ranked third and are the defending national champions, but our ladies are ready and looking forward to Saturday."
Cowgirl MOPs
Claire McDowall: 4 (TCU, at South Carolina, at Georgia, Baylor)
Quincee Clark: 3 (at SMU, Fresno State, Baylor)
Riley Hogan: 3 (TCU, at Baylor, Baylor)
Maddie Fussell: 2 (TAMU, Fresno State)
Ella Reinauer: 2 (Fresno State, Baylor)
Bella Holway: 1 (at SMU)
Sydney North: 1 (Fresno State)
Who to Watch
· Junior Riley Hogan began the spring season with a bang. Her historic 95-point performance in Fences is the highest score in program event history and ties for the third highest in NCEA history. She earned her third MOP of the season for her efforts and highlighted another strong team showing in the Fences event.
· Claire McDowall has proven to be one of the most reliable riders on the Western side. She's 7-1 on the year and leads the Cowgirls with four MOPs, three of which have come in the last three competitions. For her efforts, she was named the NCEA and Big 12 Horsemanship Rider of the Month in November after going 3-0 with two MOPs in as many days, on the road, to conclude the fall season. Likewise, she's on a five-ride win streak.
· Captain Sydney North returned to OSU for a graduate year. Currently sitting at 33 combined wins, 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. She also earned her first MOP of the year in Fences against Fresno State.
· Freshman Emma Filiatreau earned Co-Reining Rider of the Month in November after going 3-0 to conclude the fall season. She leads OSU's Reining squad with a 6-1-1 overall record and became the first freshman in the event to go undefeated in a month since all-timer Hannah Lovrien did in 2018-19.
· Sydney North and Riley Hogan are the active leaders in career wins for OSU, each with 33 combined victories from Fences and Flat.
· Freshman Bella Holway put forth a 91-point effort in Fences against SMU in just her third collegiate ride. It tops the list of freshmen performances in the event in OSU history and is the third highest among any riders in program history.
· Quincee Clark is a three-time MOP on the year. An all-American honorable mention last year, Clark has three of the five highest scored rides in Reining for the Cowgirls this season.
· Captain Maddie Fussell is 5-2-1 on the year in Horsemanship and has the second most wins in that event this season. Fussell earned her first two career MOPs in the fall season, where she only lost one ride.
Players Mentioned
