Cowgirl Equestrian Downs Third-Ranked SMU on Senior Day

Saturday, February 17

Stillwater, OK

11 a.m.

Oklahoma State University

SMU

February 17, 2024 | Cowgirl Equestrian

Box Score (PDF)

STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma State's seventh-ranked equestrian team used a strong second half and several highlight performances to come from behind and upset No. 3 SMU, 11-9, at Pedigo-Hull Equestrian Center on Saturday.

Despite losing the team advantage in three of the four events, a sweep in Flat pushed the Cowgirls ahead of the Mustangs. OSU and head coach Larry Sanchez broke a four-ride losing streak against SMU and improves its home record against it to 6-1.

"I could not be prouder of these girls," Sanchez said. "They have been working so hard and are starting to see the fruits of their labor. This has been a great start to our spring, but we still have a lot of work to do and it's fun seeing them enjoy the process."

Eight Cowgirls either set or tied career bests, and Bella D'Onofrio put forth the second-best Horsemanship performance in OSU history after scoring a 79.75. D'Onofrio's score is the highest by any Cowgirl freshman and sits in the top six all-time in the NCEA.

The Cowgirls are now 4-5 on the season after two consecutive wins to start the spring. OSU snapped SMU's four-meet win streak, and it drops to 7-3 on the year.

The meet began with Reining and Fences.

OSU's Reiners put forth several impressive performances but only came away with two points. Abby Budd, Emma Filiatreau and Ava Bush each earned career-high marks, but only Bush came away with a point. Bush earned her second win of the season with a 72.25 score.

Budd scored 74.75, the highest score by any Reiner this season, but was faced with a 75.25 from her opponent. Filiatreau's five-ride win streak came to an end despite a strong showing with a 73-point score. That serves as the second-highest score by the Reining squad this season, behind Budd.

Tristan Bagby scored the second point for the Cowgirls in the Reining event with her third-straight win. Her 72-point performance is a season best.

In Fences, Riley Hogan and Grace McReynolds picked up the only two OSU victories in the event. McReynolds earned her second career MOP and first this season with an 87-81.5 victory over Elli Yeagor. Her performance tied a previous career best in the event. Hogan scored 85 points in her seventh victory in Fences on the year.

McReynolds and Hogan outscored the field by at least 1.5 points, with McReynolds' largest margin being two points.

The Cowgirls entered the second half trailing, 6-4.

In its strongest performance this season, OSU's Flat lineup completed a clean sweep of SMU, 5-0. Ella Reinauer led the way for the Cowgirls, picking up her third MOP this season and second in as many meets. Her 78-point performance tied McReynolds for most points in the field. McReynolds' second win of the day was a narrow 78-76 win to clinch the team advantage in Flat.

Hogan picked up her second win of the day and now has 12 total wins on the season. She moves into sole possession of the most wins by active Cowgirls with 35 between Fences and Flat.

Hannah Dodd is undefeated in her first two career rides, after claiming a 2.5 point victory, and Sydney North earned her third Flat win of the season.

The meet came down to Fences with OSU leading, 9-6. Needing only two points to secure the victory, June Roberson and freshman Alana Tietz clinched the meet in favor of the Cowgirls.

Roberson scored the first point to force a potential tie. Her 78.5 score is a career best by a point and a half.

After allowing SMU to score two consecutive points, Tietz, in her first career ride, clinched the upset with a 77.5-73 win as the ninth rider.

Up next for the Cowgirls, they travel south to face the No. 1 team in the NCEA in TCU. The meet is scheduled for Feb. 23.

For more information on the Cowgirls, continue to check back with okstate.com.