No. 9 TCU Equestrian Beats No. 3 Texas A&M During Fort Worth Stock Show Meet
Image courtesy of TCU Athletics.
FORT WORTH, Texas – No. 9 TCU equestrian capped its annual Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo meet with a thrilling, 11-8, win over No. 3 Texas A&M at the John Justin Arena on Thursday night.
TCU (3-5) took a 6-3 lead after Hunt Seat competition at Turning Point Ranch in the morning, then held on for the win after an impressive Western showing in front of a big crowd in Fort Worth in the evening. The win snapped TCU’s three-match losing streak against Texas A&M (6-3).
The Rundown
The Frogs started off strong in Springtown with a 5-0 sweep in Equitation on the Flat thanks to high scoring rides from seniors Mady Fithian, Jayme Omand, Carley Barnett, Emelie Burgess and freshman Raegan Rast. Barnett’s 85-point ride earned her a MOP and defeated A&M’s Brianna Peddicord.
In Equitation over Fences, each of the five Frogs in the competition had scores in the 80s, as did exhibition rider Alex Beneson and demo rider Elizabeth McKim, but the Aggies pulled their weight with scores in the 80s as well on their way to winning three points out of five. Marisa Malevitis and Rebekah Chenelle both tied with 82-point rides on Fats, coming to a draw. Senior Jayme Omand earned the lone point with an 84-78 win over Caroline Dance.
The match moved to John Justin Arena in the evening and resumed with Reining. Carly Lombard won the Frogs’ lone point on Snoop Dog with a 72.5-point ride against Haley Franc’s 68.5 on her way to earning the MOP of the discipline. That effort left the team score tied at 7-7 entering the final discipline.
In Horsemanship, Laska Anderson started the Frogs off strong with a 73 on Perry, only to become subject to a re-ride after Ashley Davidson’s 69.5-point ride, but finished on top with a 73.5-point ride on Jack. Her performance on both horses led her to earn her first MOP honor of the season.
A&M’s Bailey Cook was also granted a re-ride, but Cydney Benes still came out victorious with a 72-66.5 decision on re-ride horse Diesel. Josie Mootz clinched the match for the Frogs with a stellar 74.5-point ride on Bob.
