Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
TCU
Cowgirl Equestrian Slated to Face No. 1 TCU
February 21, 2024 | Cowgirl Equestrian
Complete Notes (PDF)
Live Stats (Link)
The Basics
Oklahoma State's seventh-ranked equestrian team travels south to face No. 1 TCU for a conference rematch on Feb. 23 at Bear Creek Farms. The Cowgirls are riding high after a 2-0 start to the spring season, featuring an upset over No. 3 SMU last weekend. In the fall season, TCU came away with a narrow victory, 10-9, in Stillwater. The Cowgirls hold a 27-14 series lead over the Horned Frogs and have been the victors over them in the past three Big 12 Championship meets. The meet is set to start at 10 a.m.
Â
About the Cowgirls                                                                                                                       Â
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.
Â
Fresh Faces on Staff                                                                                                                       Â
Alle Durkin and Jody Brainard enter their first year with the Cowgirls. Durkin, a former rider at Texas A&M joins Carter Anderson as OSU's second assistant Jumping Seat coach. Prior to her time at Texas A&M, Durkin trained under the tutelage of several leaders in the equestrian world, such as Kevin Babington and Kenny and Linda Langmeier. While working with Babington as a student worker, she developed skills in training and caring for top-level horses, along with gaining experience in business and equine management activities. Brainard, uncle of OSU Western assistant coach Laura Brainard, joins OSU as a consultant in the Reining event. Brainard brings over 40 years of experience to OSU's team, highlighted by his time spent as a professional horseman and his established credibility in training horses.  He's held titles such as official, researcher, monitor and mentor to go along with his status as a professional.
Â
Hogan Makes History                                                                                                                   Â
Riley Hogan dropped a school-record setting MOP performance in Fences in the spring opener. She scored 95 points when faced with a 90-point score from her opponent. OSU's previous best score in the event was 92, showcasing Hogan's truly legendary ride. It serves as the highest score for the Cowgirls in any event and ties for the third-highest Fences score in NCEA history.
Â
An Oklahoma State Win Would...                                                                                    Â
- improve its record against TCU to 28-14
- make OSU's record 7-9 in Fort Worth
- improve head coach Larry Sanchez' conference record to 69-34
- be its first win in Fort Worth since 2022
Â
"The team is very excited for this first road trip of the semester," head coach Larry Sanchez said. "TCU is the top ranked team in the country, but I believe we are ready for what should be a very good meet."
Â
Cowgirl MOPs
Claire McDowall: 4 (TCU, at South Carolina, at Georgia, Baylor)
Quincee Clark: 3 (at SMU, Fresno State, Baylor)
Riley Hogan: 3 (TCU, at Baylor, Baylor)
Ella Reinauer: 2 (Fresno State, Baylor)
Maddie Fussell: 2 (TAMU, Fresno State)
Bella Holway: 1 (at SMU)
Grace McReynolds: 1 (SMU)
Sydney North: 1 (Fresno State)
Â
Who to Watch                                                                                                            Â
Â
·      Junior Riley Hogan began the spring season with a bang. Her historic 95-point performance in Fences is the highest score in program event history and ties for the third highest in NCEA history. She earned her third MOP of the season for her efforts and highlighted another strong team showing in the Fences event. She followed that up with two more wins in OSU's upset over No. 3 SMU. She's also the active leader in wins with 35 combined in Fences and Flat.
Â
·      Freshman Bella D'Onofrio had a historic ride of her own against SMU. She scored 79.75 in Horsemanship to claim the top spot on OSU's freshman leaderboard. Her score sits at No. 2 on OSU's leaderboard, behind all-timer Jojo Roberson and is the sixth-best ride in NCEA Horsemanship history.
Â
·      Ella Reinauer has made a splash to begin the spring season, winning her first two rides in Flat and earning MOP in both meets. Her critical point against SMU secured an OSU sweep in the event and put the Cowgirls within one point of victory.
Â
·      Claire McDowall has proven to be one of the most reliable riders on the Western side. She's 7-2 on the year and leads the Cowgirls with four MOPs, three of which have come in consecutive meets. For her efforts, she was named the NCEA and Big 12 Horsemanship Rider of the Month in November after going 3-0 with two MOPs in as many days, on the road, to conclude the fall season.
Â
·      Captain Sydney North returned to OSU for a graduate year. Currently sitting at 34 combined wins, she got things going in the 2023-24 season with her 25th career win in Fences against TCU and a career-high 90 points against SMU. She also earned her first MOP of the year in Fences against Fresno State.
Â
·      Freshman Emma Filiatreau earned Co-Reining Rider of the Month in November after going 3-0 to conclude the fall season. She leads OSU's Reining squad with a 6-2-1 overall record and scored a career-high 73 points against SMU.
Players Mentioned
