By Alexa Brackin

News Editor

The Baylor equestrian team hopes to ride its way to a victory over the Fresno State Bulldogs on Friday at the Willis Family Equestrian Center.

The meet, which will begin at noon, marks the seventh competition for the Bears since the season began.

The women are coming off three consecutive losses against No. 6 Kansas, No. 4 Oklahoma and No. 1 Georgia.

Against Georgia, the team suffered its first home loss of the season, dropping it to No. 7. The women hope to make up lost ground against Fresno.

“I felt like we rode well, we did well, we are showing some freshmen, and playing with our line-ups to put people in,” head coach Ellen White said. “Georgia is the number one team and we held on until the very last couple of rides. I feel really comfortable and confident with our team that we are going to be a good contender this year.”

The team encourages all students to come out and show their support. The meet is free and open to the public.

“It’s a spectator sport,” Hughes Springs senior Olivia Rogers said. “We don’t always get a lot of spectators, but if we do get people to come out, everyone has a great time. You get to come feed the horses carrots and we give you time to pet them.”

Westminster, Md., sophomore Samantha Schaefer gained her second career Big 12 award when she was named Big 12 Equitation on the Flat Rider of the Month for October on Wednesday. Schaefer also won Fences Rider of the Month in April.

Two members of the team took home titles on Oct. 25 at the 2012 All American Quarter Horse Congress, the world’s largest single-breed horse show, in Columbus, Ohio.

Snohomish, Wash., sophomore Parris Rice won the Youth Horsemanship, Showmanship at Halter and Equitation titles by beating almost 400 riders.

Abilene sophomore Gillian Chant beat nearly 150 riders to win the Youth Trail title.

The equestrian team hosts Freno State at noon on Friday. The team will be competing in reigning, horsemanship, fences and flat.