No. 8 TCU Horned Frogs Open Against No. 7 Baylor This Weekend
TCU Press release
SPRINGTOWN, Texas – The TCU equestrian program is set to open both its regular season and conference play Saturday, Oct. 5 against No. 7 Baylor at Turning Point Ranch. Start time is set for 11 a.m. CT from Springtown.
“We are excited to open the season against Baylor on Saturday,” said director of equestrian Haley Schoolfield. “Our student-athletes have been working hard in preparation for this meet. The coaches will be looking to our experienced riders to lead the way with strong rides. We are excited about the talent that our freshmen bring to the roster.”
Follow the Frogs
A full recap and final results will be available following Saturday’s competition on GoFrogs.com. During Saturday, live results will be made available on the official TCU equestrian twitter page. Fans are encouraged to follow @TCUWEquestrian. Be sure to also follow @tcuwequestrian on Instagram for live photo updates of meet action.
The All-Time Series
The Horned Frogs and Bears will battle for the 10th time in program history Saturday morning. The all-time series is currently tied at 5-5, but TCU has won two out of the last three, including last years 12-7 victory at the Fort Worth Stock Show.
Frogs Top 10 in National Collegiate Equestrian Association
The TCU equestrian program opens the 2013-14 season ranked No. 8 in the National Collegiate Equestrian Association’s Top 10 poll. With a previous ranking of No. 9, TCU moved up one spot this week going into their season opener. The Frogs were ranked throughout last season, climbing to as high as No. 5 in the national polls. The Frogs finished out their 2012 regular-season ranked No. 2 in the final Big 12 standings.
TCU Returns All-America Honorees
The Horned Frogs are coming off a season in which they finished the regular-season ranked No. 2 in the final Big 12 standings after boasting a 3-3 league record with victories over Baylor, Kansas State and Oklahoma State. In all, the Frogs return All-America honorees Kaitlin Perry, Alexi Child, Katelyn Gray and Caitlin Ader.
Scouting TCU
TCU comes into its Saturday Big 12 showcase looking for its first win of the season. The Horned Frogs, who are currently No. 8 in the national polls, are looking to start off the season with a victory against conference foe Baylor.
Home Sweet Home
TCU has won two out of its last three season openers, including a 12-6 victory over New Mexico State last fall. The Frogs are 9-4 overall at home since 2011-12.
On the Hunt Seat Side
Returner Emily Guhde and newcomer Ashlyn Matheus were awarded with MOP accolades at the Purple and White scrimmage for their performances in Equitation on the Flat and Equitation over Fences. Look out for Guhde and Matheus as they are both expected to have a strong 2013-14 season.
“We’ve got a big matchup with Baylor to start our season,” said Hunt Seat head coach Logan Fiorentino. “I look forward to seeing what this team is capable of. Everyone has been working hard and I believe in our team and that they are ready to rise to the challenge.”
After boasting a 9-6 overall record and 3-3 mark in conference play last season, the Hunt Seat program will lean heavily on Kaitlin Perry and Caitlin Ader during the early portion of its schedule. Perry finished the 2012-13 campaign with a 10-4-1 mark in Equitation on the Flat, while Ader garnered three MOP’s on the Flat en route to nine victories on the season. Look for sophomore Taylor Alexander to also have a huge impact on the Frogs’ success this fall in Equitation over Fences after going 8-6-0 overall in her first year in the program.
Newcomers Emily Guhde and Ashlyn Matheus were rewarded with MOP accolades at the Purple and White scrimmage for their performances in Equitation On the Flat and Equitation Over Fences. Look out for Guhde and Matheus as they are both expected to have a strong 2013-14 season.
On the Western Side
TCU will look to duplicate its success from a year ago. In the Purple and White scrimmage returner Erin Gillette led the way by earning MOP honors in Horsemanship while newcomer Shelby St. Hilaire collected her first MOP as a Horned Frog after an impressive ride in Reining.
Scouting Baylor
No. 7 Baylor comes into this weekend with a 3-0 mark following three victories over No. 8 South Dakota State, No. 10 Tennessee-Martin and New Mexico State. Baylor had nine of the 12 MOP honors last weekend. Baylor and TCU last met at the 2013 Big 12 Championship where Baylor defeated TCU,10-6.
Up Next
TCU will next be in action Saturday, Oct. 19 against K-State. Start time from Turning Point Ranch is set for 11:00 a.m. CT.
“We have been working hard and putting in the hours to compete against Baylor,” said Western head coach Kindel Walter. “They are a great team, but we are ready for the challenge. We are looking forward to a great year and exited about competing as one team.”
Leading the way for TCU this season will be Alexi Child who earned all-conference accolades a year ago, while also claiming NCEA Second-Team All-America recognition. The Oregon native went 10-5-0 overall in Reining. Sophomore Erin Gillette also returns after having one of the most successful freshman campaigns in school history. She rode to a 10-5 overall mark in Horsemanship with two MOP awards last season, but more importantly went 4-2 during league play.
Look for Katelyn Gray and sophomore Chantz Stewart to also play big factors on the outcome of the 2013-14 season for the Purple and White. Gray was the third Frog in program history to earn All-America recognition in Reining after going 8-7-0 overall, including 3-3 in league play during the course of last season. She also went 6-6 overall in Horsemanship during the year, while collecting two MOP accolades.
Stewart had a solid first year on campus, going 6-6 overall in Reining with one MOP accolade. She also picked up Big 12 Reining Rider of the Month accolades during last October
