STILLWATER, Okla.—Oklahoma State’s third-ranked equestrian team claimed the 2013 Big 12 Championship after they defeated No. 4 Kansas State on Saturday at the Animal Science Arena, 8-6.
Down by one point with three riders left in the reining discipline, the Cowgirls rallied, sweeping the last three rides, to defeat Kansas State and claim their second consecutive Big 12 Championship and third overall.
“I kept preaching to our girls, telling them to continue doing what they’ve been doing all year,” coach Larry Sanchez said. “I wanted them to keep focused and not change a thing. Kansas State is a very good team. They were polished and ready to ride this weekend. We were fortunate to come away with the victory, because they rode really well.”
The Cowgirls would jump out to an early 2-1 lead after the equitation over fences discipline, with juniors Samantha Harrison and Sammy Elser both picking up their points.
The Wildcats would rally back and tie the overall score at 3-3 after horsemanship despite sophomore Katy Krshka’s MOP performance.
Junior Samantha Harrison would help lead the Cowgirls to a 2-2 tie in equitation on the flat with an MOP performance. Freshman Amy White would also pick up her point with a score of 152.
With the score tied at 5-5, the reining team would come up big once again. They would go on to win 3-1 with sophomore Katy Krshka picking up MOP honors. Junior Jenna Blumer and freshman Justine Peters also picked up their points with Blumer winning 133-125.5 and Peters 135.5-135.
The success did not stop there for the Cowgirls as they would go on to take many of the All-Big 12 selections. Samantha Harrison was selected to the Equitation Over Fences All-Big 12 for the second consecutive year. Lauren Halvorson and Katy Krshka were also selected to their second consecutive All-Big 12 Horsemanship team. Krshka also went on to win her second consecutive horsemanship rider of the year award.
Oklahoma State improved to 11-5 on the season and 5-3 in conference play. The Cowgirls will next travel to Waco, Texas on April 17-20 for the 2013 NCEA National Championships.
All-Big 12 Selections
Equitation Over Fences All-Big 12 Team:
Samantha Harrison
Allison Joyce
Equitation on the Flat All-Big 12 Team:
Allison Joyce
Horsemanship All-Big 12 Team:
Lauren Halvorson
Katy Krshka
Lindsey McMullen
Reining All-Big 12 Team:
Jenna Blumer
Katy Krshka
Co-Horsemanship Rider of the Year
Katy Krshka
Reining Rider of the Year
Jenna Blumer
Co-Scholar Athletes of the Year
Jenna Blumer
Coach of the Year
Larry Sanchez
Results
Reining
Taylor New lost to Sam Stsell, 130-0
Jenna Blumer defeated Savannah Smith, 133-125.5
Katy Krshka defeated Jesse Johnson, 139-128.5
Justine Peters defeated Jordan Cox, 135.5-135
Horsemanship
Lindsey McMullen lost to Amelia Crites, 134.5-128
Marissa Dalton tied Hannah Ribera, 139.5-139.5
Lauren Halvorson lost to Kelly Bovaird, 142.5-120
Katy Krshka defeated Rachel Wetherell, 145-122.5
Flat
Ali Rose lost to Rachel Webster, 162-138
Samantha Harrison defeated Madison Wayda, 172-168
Allie Joyce lost to Meredith Finch, 162-159
Amy White defeated Larissa Laffey, 152-143
Over Fences
Samantha Harrison defeated Rachel Webster, 157-150
Andrea Robbins lost to Kali Yates, 164-136
Sammy Elser Madison Wayda, 168-164
Allie Joyce tied Catherine, 155-155
