Cowgirls Advance to National Semifinals

Thursday, April 18

Ocala, FL

1:30 p.m.

Oklahoma State University

Auburn

April 18, 2024 | Cowgirl Equestrian

Complete Box Score (PDF)

OCALA, Fla. – Oklahoma State's sixth-seeded equestrian team upset third-seeded Auburn, 10-8, Thursday afternoon in the NCEA National Championship quarterfinals at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Fla.

Head coach Larry Sanchez and the Cowgirls avenged last season's postseason departure against the Tigers by rallying to score nine of the final 15 available points. Sanchez and the Cowgirls claimed their fifth-straight semifinals round berth. OSU is 9-6 on the season and advances to face second-seeded SMU Friday morning for a shot at the championship meet.

"I'm elated with the girls' performances today," Sanchez said. "This meet could have gone either way and I'm so proud at how our girls responded to the challenge. The next step is to ride this momentum into tomorrow."

The meet began with Reining and Fences. Scores were calculated by five judges, with the highest and lowest score being dropped and the final tally being the average of the three scores in the middle.

OSU's Reining squad put forth its third 4-1 team advantage of the season and its second in three meets. All the Cowgirls points came in narrow fashion, with two wins coming from a point or less advantage.

Freshman Ava Bush had the highest score among all riders on the day, tabbing a 71.83. Bush is a winner of three straight and only has two losses since the spring season commenced.

Abby Budd and Emma Filiatreau added another pair of 70-plus point performances. Like Bush, Budd is a winner for a third-straight outing. With Filiatreau's win, she takes sole possession of most wins among all Reiners this season with nine.

Quincee Clark reentered the win column with a win over first-team NCEA All-American and SEC Reining Rider of the Year, Isabella Tesmer. Clark handed Tesmer only her second loss this season and first since Feb. 4.

OSU's Fences squad dropped the team score, 4-1. Riley Hogan shined as OSU's lone point scorer, earning a 90.67 in the event. It's the second time this season Hogan has registered a 90-plus score and propelled the Cowgirls into a halftime tie.

The meet proceeded with Flat and Horsemanship.

OSU's Flat squad began the half with a 2-2 team tally to keep the overall score even. Hannah Dodd was a winner once more with an 84.67-point performance. She is 7-1 on the season and has continued to prosper since joining the starting lineup. Grace McReynolds scored the other point for OSU with a win over first-team All-American Sophee Steckbeck.

The Horsemanship group rebounded from its last outing to seal OSU's victory with a 3-1 team advantage. Claire McDowall and June Roberson led the way for the Cowgirls with 74.67- and 74.83-point performances, respectively. McDowall has now tied her career record in wins in a season with 11.

Maddie Fussell earned hero-status for the Cowgirls with her clutch final point. The last rider in the event, the senior captain denied an opportunity for Auburn to tie the meet, winning by a narrow margin.

The Cowgirls are back in action on Friday morning to take on the defending NCEA champion SMU. The meet is set to begin at 8 a.m. CT.

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