By Caroline Lindstrom
Sports Writer
The No. 5 Baylor equestrian team suffered two losses during the weekend, dropping its record to 8-5. The Bears fell 11-9 to No. 7 Kansas State University and 11-7 to No. 4 Oklahoma State University. Both meets were on the road for the Bears.
“We went into these meets knowing they were an uphill battle, but I am still pleased with our performance,” head coach Ellen White said.
The Bears lost 3-2 in the fences, flat and reining events. Baylor managed to pull out a 3-2 victory in the horsemanship event. The Bears will remain ahead of KSU in the Big 12 standings because of their 15-5 victory over the Wildcats in the fall.
“Kansas State hasn’t lost at home in a couple of years, so losing by one rider kept us in good spirits for the OSU meet the next day,” junior Samantha Schaefer said.
White said the Bears battled freezing weather throughout the weekend.
Colder temperatures can put the horses on edge, which resulted in two riders falling from their horse. White said that was the first time she had seen her riders fall from a horse.
The OSU meet proved to be another trial for the Bears at Animal Science Arena. Baylor lost horsemanship 4-0, fences 3-2 and reining 3-1. The Bears only win came in the flat event with a score of 4-1.
Sophomore Mary Brown and junior Parris Rice rode in the reining event for the first time. White said she is excited to see what these women will accomplish in the future for this event.
“It’s always hard to go back and watch video of a meet and see what the judges missed and think, that’s a shame,” White said. “I feel like we rode closer than our scores reflect.”
Schaefer said the back-to-back road meets were tough since the team only had three days to prepare after finishing the Fresno State Invitational.
The team now has three weeks to prep for the Big 12 Championships March 28 and 29.
“We have been preparing all year for this meet and we have home field advantage, which is a bigger benefit in our sport than any other sport,” Schaefer said.
White said the women have done a great job all season preparing for the Big 12 Championships. After spring break the team will hit it hard with inner squad scrimmages. The riders will defend their spots in the lineup and sharpen their skills before the championships.
The Big 12 Championships will be held on March 28 and 29 at the Willis Family Equestrian Center in Waco.
