The No. 5 Oklahoma State equestrian western team knocked off the TCU Horned Frogs, 5-3, but it wasn't enough as the Cowgirls fell in overall scores, 10-8, at October Hill Farm Saturday.
Leading the Oklahoma State Equestrian program is head coach Larry Sanchez. Entering his 11th year at Oklahoma State, Sanchez continues to bring national titles home to Stillwater year after year. Under the guidance of Sanchez, Oklahoma State Equestrian has made its presence known at the Varsity Equestrian National Championships every year, winning National Championships in 2003, 2004 and 2006, and a reserve national championship in 2005. In all but two seasons of his coaching career, Sanchez has had a rider win an individual national championship or a reserve title, including current Cowgirls Leah Kuehn, who captured the Collegiate Reining Championship in 2008 and Bri Parnell, who was the 2009 VENC individual reserve national champion.Sanchez also led the 2008 Cowgirl team to a Central Championships victory and a Big 12 Championship last season.
As one of the most respected and successful equestrian coaches in the country, Sanchez has been essential in the move toward varsity recognition in the sport of equestrian. He currently serves as the spokesperson for the Varsity Equestrian Steering Committee, which is responsible for the development, organization and implementation of all aspects involved with assembling varsity equestrian as an emerging NCAA sport.
A native of Colorado, Sanchez began his intercollegiate coaching career at New Mexico State in 1993 and quickly organized one of the nation's top programs in the IHSA. Under his leadership, NMSU won national titles in 1995, 1997 and 1998.
Sanchez moved to Stillwater to launch Oklahoma State's team in 1999. In his 16-year coaching career, 14 of his qualifying teams have placed in the top four at the national level. Additionally, he has coached an impressive 23 riders to individual national championships and 13 riders to reserve championships.
Coach Sanchez completed the coursework for his M.A. in agricultural education at NMSU and received his B.S. in equine science from Colorado State. He is a carded judge, breeder and competitor within the American Quarter Horse Association.
Larry and his wife, Julie, who is a registered nurse, have two children. Their son, Colton, is 13 years old, and their daughter, Caitlyn, is 11 years old.
