Cowgirl Equestrian Knocks Off Top-Ranked Texas A&M In A Nail Biter

Saturday, March 12

College Station, TX

11 a.m.

Oklahoma State University

Texas A&M

Cowgirl Equestrian Knocks Off Top-Ranked Texas A&M In A Nail Biter

March 12, 2022 | Cowgirl Equestrian

Box Score (PDF)

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – No. 2 Oklahoma State equestrian battled point-for-point from start to finish to defeat No. 1 Texas A&M, 9-8, in the Cowgirls' final regular season meet at the Hildebrand Equine Complex on Saturday.

With the win, OSU ended the regular season with a 10-2 record, the best mark in program history, on its way to defeating the No. 1-ranked team in the country twice in a season for the first time ever after previously defeating Auburn, 10-9, in October.

"I am very proud of the heart and determination that our team showed today," head coach Larry Sanchez said. "We have been a second half team all year and that proved true again today. We will give the girls a couple of days off for Spring Break and then continue to work hard to prepare for the Big 12 Championship in a couple of weeks."

The meet started with Fences and Horsemanship coinciding. The Cowgirls opened the meet strong on their way to taking Fences, 3-2. The only two Aggie points came from Kaitlyn Lovingfoss and Grace Boston as they beat their opponents, 78-75 and 76-72, respectively. Abigail Brayman countered and bested her opponent, 80-76.

Riley Hogan, a freshman, defeated Devon Thomas, 85-79, to earn a Cowgirl point and her first MOP-honor of her career. Big 12 Fences Rider of the Month, Sydnie Ziegler, completed the event with an 86-84 win against Brooke Brombach.

After a close showdown in Horsemanship, Texas A&M ultimately took the matchup, 2-1. Natalie Vargo tied Mackenzie Chapman at 77.5 for a no pointer. Aggie, Hayley Riddle narrowly defeated JoJo Roberson, 79.5-77.5.

No point was granted again as Maddie Fussell tied Ella Petak at 71.5 each. Claire McDowall earned the only Cowgirl point after defeating Hanna Olaussen, 76-69.5. Caroline Nielson finished the half by dropping her point to Cori Cansdale, 76.5-67.5.

Heading into the second half, the meet was tied at 4-4. With Reining and Flat on deck, the Cowgirls continued confidently. Ziegler won her fourth-consecutive Flat ride against Thomas, 79.5-7,9 and King defeated Lovingfoss, 83.5-77.

Aggie, Rhian Murphy, secured an MOP-worthy win against Brayman, 87-84.5, and Nicole Leonard beat Hannah Coleman, 86-78. Katie Pelzel concluded the event by defeating Caroline Dance, 76-69.

Heading into Reining, the Cowgirls led by only one point. Team captain, Molly Mitchell started strong and defeated Taylor Masson with a career-high, 74-73.5. Kelly Harper fell to her opponent, 75.5-69.5 and Roberson tied at 74 for no point.

Quincee Clark clinched the Cowgirl win by defeating Lisa Bricker with a career high, 75-74.5, and earned her third MOP of the year. Texas A&M secured their final point after Keesa Luers beat Hannah Lovrien, 76-74.5.

OSU is set to action at the Big 12 Championship March 25 and 26 in Fort Worth, Texas. The Cowgirls will go into the tournament as the No. 1 seed.

For season-long coverage of Oklahoma State Equestrian, visit okstate.com and follow @OSUEquestrian on Twitter and Instagram.