When we think of sibling rivalries in the sports industry, the Williams sisters and the Manning brothers immediately come to mind. While Peyton and Eli in football and Venus and Serena in tennis have gone up against each other multiple times, the parents of these sports stars try their best to equally root for both of their children. These parents find themselves in the unique situation of having to figure out how to balance celebrating with the winner, while also consoling the loser–not an enviable task since they are wrought with mixed emotions.
On Thursday evening, the same unenviable scenario happened to Carla McMullen of Norris, Tennessee at the NCEA National Championship in Waco, Texas. Her older daughter, Lindsey McMullen who rides for Oklahoma State University, and youngest daughter, Megan McMullen who rides for Texas Christian University, drew to compete in the first round directly against each other in horsemanship. Both daughters are AQHYA World Champions and have also had great success competing for their universities.
The McMullen girls drew Sly, a Kansas State horse, and Megan competed first. A few years ago, in their only other head-to-head match up, Lindsey was victorious over her little sister. Thursday night it was the same result again with big sister beating out her little sister, 73, 73 to 69 and 70. “It was so fun to watch and cheer both of them,” Carla says. “One of my daughters had to get one of the points so I knew I was going to be able to celebrate with one of them. I hoped they would have tied–that would have been the best scenario, but it didn’t happen that way,” Carla says. “I was so proud and nervous before they showed. I know they both work really hard at what they love.”
The proud mother adds, “Megan didn’t have her best ride tonight and Lindsey outrode her, but I know both tried their best and the big sister won out this time.”
Megan says that she knew she was going to draw her sister at Nationals and when it happened, she wasn’t surprised. “We were aways worried in the past about drawing each other, but it was a lot of fun and exciting when it happened. I was happy with my ride but I had a few bobbles. We are different riders and we usually like different styles of horses. I didn’t get along with Sly as well as my sister did.”
Following the competition, older sister Lindsey told us that she was happy with her ride. “It was a huge advantage riding second to my sister because I was able to watch her ride and see where I needed to push more to score higher. The two times I have lost this year was when I went first so I do think I lucked out going second. If I would have lost to my sister, I would have been happy for her. If I had to lose to someone, I would rather it be to my sister. Also, there really is no ego when a great rider beats you.”
Wearing an equal balance of purple and orange clothes representing both TCU and OSU, Carla was careful to make sure no preference was shown to either Lindsey or Megan. While Lindsey is a senior this year, Megan is currently a sophomore and has a few more years left to compete on the TCU team. “I know Lindsey puts a lot more pressure on herself than Megan,” says Carla about her oldest daughter, who has been an NCEA All-American every year and had a record of 7-2 this year. “Lindsey knows this is her final competition with her team and she is a perfectionist to begin with, but I also knew that Megan wouldn’t give it up and wanted to win for her team.”
Carla’s youngest daughter, Megan had an outstanding record of 9-1-1 this year and was Big 12 Rider of the Month. Carla says it is quite fitting for Lindsey to end her career against her younger sister. “They have completely different riding styles,” Carla states. “Lindsey is more precise while Megan has more of a ‘get er done’ and risky style of riding. Lindsey has perfect form while Megan has more of an all or nothing power style of riding. Lindsey also grew up showing in the horsemanship while Megan is newer to the event. In the past, Megan’s passion has been the western pleasure and showing younger horses in the futurities.”
While little sister is finished and had to pack up and head out, big sister and her OSU teammates move on and will compete against Baylor in the next round on Friday.
“I’ll be sad to not see my big sister at the meets next year, but she better be wearing some purple when she comes to watch me compete,” Megan says laughing. “I also know my mother will be happy to not have to worry about us going up against each other anymore.”
Lindsey says that this being her senior year is bittersweet. “It has been a fun four years, but I’m ready to move on to new things, but I also look forward to becoming a TCU fan and rooting for my sister next year.”
