April 18, 2009

WACO, Texas - The Baylor Hunter Seat equestrian team posted its best-ever finish at the Varsity Equestrian National Championships, finishing fourth in the competition at the Hearst O' Texas Fair Complex. The Lady Bears' previous best finish was sixth place in 2008.

Baylor finished fourth with a 6-2 loss to South Carolina. The Lady Bears tied the Gamecocks 2-2 in Equitation on the Flat, but South Carolina took the lead as they swept Equitation over Fences 4-0. Junior Mary Smitson recorded her second consecutive tournament win (133-132), while senior Shelby White also added (130-123).

"Obviously I wanted to win, but I still absolutely think we are a championship team," head coach Ellen White said. "I'm extremely proud of this team. We are much more polished and stronger than last season. If we continue to improve at the rate we have, we'll be untouchable."

With the fourth place finish, Baylor is the top Big 12 Hunter Seat team and the only team in the Big 12 to ever be ranked No. 1 in the Women's Intercollegiate Equestrian National Coaches Poll.

Consolation Bracket
(3) South Carolina 6, (4) Baylor University 2

Fences (USC 4, BU 0)
Eleanor Kunsman (USC) def. Lisa Goldman (BU) 158-133
Megan Massaro (USC) def. Kara Fergusson (BU) 150-143
Courtney Reese (USC) def. Kendra Vicary (BU) 138-130
Nicole Bourgeois (USC) def. Nicole Brown (BU) 164-152

Flat (USC 3, BU 1)
Victoria Middleton (USC) def. Margaret Beaudoin (BU) 130-124
Shelby White (BU) def. Alex Haskell (USC) 130-123
Mary Smitson (BU) def. Carly Babcock (USC) 133-132
Megan Massaro (USC) def. Cara Wilson (BU) 128-126