Cowgirl Equestrian Falls Short in NCEA Semifinals

Friday, April 19

Ocala, FL

8 a.m.

Oklahoma State University

SMU

April 19, 2024 | Cowgirl Equestrian

OCALA, Fla. – Oklahoma State's sixth-seeded equestrian team lost to second-seeded SMU, 11-9, Friday afternoon in the NCEA National Championship semifinals at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Fla.

Head coach Larry Sanchez and the Cowgirls finished the 2023-24 campaign 9-7 with a 4-2 record in Big 12 competition. OSU also ventured to the semifinals of the NCEA tournament for a fifth consecutive year on the heels of the program's 10^th Big 12 title.

"I couldn't be prouder of the way we rode today in all four events," Sanchez said. "We competed at a very high level. Their attitude was great all year long, but especially here in the postseason and I'm very proud of that.

"SMU is a very good team. There's a reason they're ranked No. 2 in the country. We put up a good fight but fell a little short."

The meet began with Fences and Reining.

The Cowgirls scored points from veterans Grace McReynolds, Riley Hogan and Sydney North, despite strong performances from Bella Holway and Paige Jones. McReynolds scored the first point of the day as she reentered the win column the event. She ends her All-Big 12 season with a 9-5-1 record and a nearly perfect 8-1 record in the spring.

Hogan posted two wins in the national tournament, including a 90.67-point outing in Thursday's competition. Her 86 points on Friday led the Cowgirls in the event as she overcame her opponent by 10 points.

North's point was the 42^nd of her illustrious career. She ended her career as a Cowgirl with 34 wins in Fences, which ties Sydnie Ziegler for third-most by a Cowgirl since 2012.

After an extended ride review, Reining concluded after Fences. All-Big 12 members Emma Filiatreau and Tristan Bagby scored two points for the Cowgirls to force a tie heading into halftime.

Filiatreau earned her 10^th win of the season and was the Cowgirls leading point-scorer in the event. Bagby scored a 72.33 to claim the highest score of the day by any rider in the event en route to her ninth win of the season. Her score is also a season-high for her and the fifth-highest of all Cowgirl Reiners this season.

The meet entered halftime with a tie at five points. Flat and Horsemanship would become the deciding events.

OSU allowed SMU to claim a 4-1 advantage in the team event. Hogan once again came out on top of her ride, winning 85-77.33. With her wins in Fences and Flat, Hogan officially surpassed four-time All-American Lauren Halvorson in points scored with 45 and entered the top 10 in OSU's history since 2012. Halvorson graduated in 2014 and had 44 combined wins in Horsemanship.

With the meet on the line, OSU's Horsemanship group got two quick points from Alana Tietz and Claire McDowall to bring the score within one. McDowall set a new career record for most victories in a season with 12, and her point also signifies the 30^th of her career.

SMU was able to get those points back in the next two rides, sealing its overall victory. June Roberson claimed the final point of the day with an event-high 76.33-point performance, fashioning the 11-9 final score.