Cowgirls Aim for Second NCEA Title in Three Years

Complete Notes (PDF)

The Basics
Oklahoma State equestrian will look to claim its second NCEA title in three years as it travels to Ocala, Florida, this week at the World Equestrian Center. The sixth-seeded Cowgirls are slotted to face third-seeded Auburn on Thursday, April 18. It's a rematch from last season's semifinal round, when Auburn defeated OSU, 14-6. Should the Cowgirls defeat the Tigers, they'll move on to face the winner between SMU and South Carolina in the semifinal round. The Cowgirls are winners of six of the last seven meets, as well as earning the programs fourth-straight and 10th overall Big 12 title. The NCEA Championship will have live scoring available throughout the week and streaming will be available to subscribers through Horse & Country Plus.

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.

A Battle Between 10-Time Conference Champions
OSU heads to Ocala coming off capturing its fourth-straight Big 12 Conference title. The Cowgirls upset top-seeded TCU in the championship round, 10-9, with the winning point awarded to the Cowgirls on the final ride. Riley Hogan and Sydney North earned Fences and Flat MOP, respectively, for their efforts on the weekend. Hogan, North, Grace McReynolds, Claire McDowall, Emma Filiatreau and Tristan Bagby earned a spot on the All-Big 12 team for their respective events. OSU and Auburn are the only equestrian teams in the NCEA with 10 conference champions - OSU in the Big 12 and Auburn in the SEC. The teams are tied for the most titles in their respective organizations.

National Recognition
Oklahoma State has now had six riders earn monthly awards this season, with eight recognitions overall. Six riders have earned a Big 12 rider of the month honor: Claire McDowall, Emma Filiatreau, Grace McReynolds, Tristan Bagby, Riley Hogan and June Roberson. McDowall and McReynolds both earned an NCEA monthly honor in November and March, respectively.

All-American Cowgirls
Claire McDowall and Riley Hogan became two-time All-Americans in the 2023-24 season. McDowall has now been named a second-team All-American in consecutive seasons after going 10-4-0 with four MOPs. Hogan was an honorable mention in Fences, also marking a second All-American selection in as many years. This season, McDowall and Hogan accounted for 29 of OSU's team points, just over 20 percent of all points scored.

Oklahoma State Wins Would...
- give the Cowgirls its second dual discipline NCEA title in three years.
- make OSU a six-time national champion.
- make OSU the first active Big 12 member to win two overall national titles.

Coach's Thoughts
"We are really looking forward to the championship this week" head coach Larry Sanchez said. "Our Cowgirls are really working hard and riding with a lot of confidence. We feel very prepared going into this tournament."

Cowgirl MOPs
With 5: Riley Hogan
With 4: Claire McDowall
With 3: Quincee Clark, Sydney North and Ella Reinauer
With 2: Abby Budd, Maddie Fussell and Grace McReynolds
With 1: Peyton Baxter, Bella Holway and June Roberson

Who to Watch

Junior Riley Hogan has made a name for herself as a prolific scorer on the Jumping Seat side. Only a junior, her 42 wins from Fences and Flat is just two wins out from a spot in OSU's top 10 in wins since 2012. Likewise, she leads all Cowgirls this season with five MOPs. Now a two-time All-American and Big 12 rider of the month, Hogan's season was highlighted by a 95-point outing in Fences during the spring opener against Baylor. It's the highest score in program history in the event and ties for the third highest in NCEA history.

Claire McDowall leads OSU's Western squad with 10 wins this season and has 27 career wins in Horsemanship. She sits at seventh in OSU's record book in the event's career win totals since 2012. McDowall's 10 wins and four MOPs helped her secure a spot as an NCEA All-American on the second team, her second honor of her career.

Senior captain Grace McReynolds had a historic spring season for the Cowgirls. She went 7-0 in Fences, highlighted by two MOPs and a career-high 88 at Fresno State. She earned back-to-back monthly honors, including the NCEA's award in March, becoming just the second Cowgirl in program history to earn the national award in Fences.

June Roberson's reputation as one of OSU's highest point-scorers was boosted in March. She was named March's Big 12 rider of the month in Horsemanship after going 3-1 and averaging just under 76 points in those rides. She earned her first MOP of the season in the regular season finale against UC Davis and had the highest Horsemanship score in two meets in March.

Senior captain Sydney North has enjoyed a resurgence in Flat in action leading to Ocala. She earned the Big 12 Tournament's MOP in the event and went 3-1 in March with an additional MOP against UC Davis. She also added four wins in Fences.

Emma Filiatreau and Tristan Bagby led OSU's Reining squad with eight wins each. They both earned a spot on the the All-Big 12 team and have earned the conference's co-Reining rider of the month in November and March, respectively.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Tristan Bagby

Peyton Baxter

Abby Budd

Quincee Clark

Emma Filiatreau

Maddie Fussell

Riley Hogan

Bella Holway

Claire McDowall

Grace McReynolds

Sydney North

Ella Reinauer

June Roberson

Oklahoma State University Athletics