Oklahoma State University Athletics
Sanchez, Four Cowgirls Earn Big 12 Honors
March 26, 2026 | Cowgirl Equestrian
IRVING, Texas — The Big 12 Conference announced its 2025-26 awards Thursday, with Larry Sanchez being named Big 12 Coach of the Year and four Cowgirls earning All-Big 12 honors.
Sanchez earns the conference's top coaching honor for the sixth time in his career after guiding Oklahoma State Cowgirl Equestrian to a 6-3 regular season record, including a 4-2 mark in Big 12 competition, both of which topped the conference standings. Earlier this season, Sanchez also reached a milestone 200th career victory with a win over Baylor.
Highlighting the individual awards, Emma Filiatreau was named Big 12 Reining Rider of the Year while also earning All-Big 12 Reining honors. Filiatreau posted a 7-1-1 record during the regular season and led the team with five Most Outstanding Performer (MOP) awards. She was named both the NCEA and Big 12 Reining Rider of the Month in November and earned NCEA Ride of the Week honors for her performance against Fresno State on Feb. 27.
Ava Bush joined Filiatreau on the All-Big 12 Reining team after compiling a 7-2 record. Bush collected two MOP honors on the season, including a career-high 74.5 in a victory at Baylor.
In Horsemanship, Bella D'Onofrio earned All-Big 12 recognition following a 7-2 regular season record. D'Onofrio was named both the NCEA and Big 12 Horsemanship Rider of the Month in February and followed that performance with a season-high 78.75 at SMU, which earned one of her two MOPs on the year. She enters the postseason riding a six-meet winning streak.
June Roberson also claimed All-Big 12 Horsemanship honors after finishing the regular season with a 7-1-1 record. Roberson earned Big 12 Rider of the Month honors in October and November, while also being named NCEA Rider of the Month in November. She totaled three MOPs on the season and recorded a season-high score of 78 against SMU in October. With her performance this year, Roberson moved into sixth place in program history with 34 career Horsemanship wins.
Sanchez and the Cowgirls will host the Big 12 Championship on March 27-28, opening competition against Baylor at the Pedigo-Hull Equestrian Center.
