July 16, 2009

WACO, Texas - The 2009-10 Baylor equestrian schedule features competitions against eight of the top 10 teams in both hunter seat and western competition from last season. The schedule will prepare the fifth-year squad for postseason action head coach Ellen White announced on Tuesday.

Georgia, Texas A&M and Oklahoma State were the top three team finishers last season. Four of the top hunter seat teams, Georgia, Auburn, South Carolina (BU finished fourth) and Oklahoma State, and four of the top western teams, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Georgia and Kansas State, will compete against the Bears in 2009-10.

"This challenging schedule will prepare us for competing in the Big 12 Championships and the Varsity Championships. The fact that we are hosting both of these events will be helpful as well," said White.

For the second straight season, the Bears will open the season by hosting the Willis Invitational, a two-day, three-team event. Joining Baylor in the Sept. 11 - 12 competition will be Miami (Ohio) and West Texas A&M. October and November sees the Bears on the road for five matches. Baylor travels to Oklahoma State (Oct. 16), Kansas State (Oct. 17), Texas A&M (Oct. 31) and New Mexico State (Nov. 20). In addition, the Bears take on South Carolina (Nov. 21) while visiting New Mexico State.

After traveling to five of six fall contests, Baylor is just the opposite during the spring as five of the team's seven dual match contests will be held at Baylor's Willis Family Equestrian Center. First, Delaware State and Tennessee-Martin visit Waco on Jan. 29. The Bears host Texas A&M on Feb. 13 and Kansas State on Feb. 20. Then it's on the road for back-to-back contests at Auburn (Feb. 27) and Georgia (Feb. 28). Baylor's final regular season competition will come when Oklahoma State travels to Waco for a March 5 contest.

Baylor will be able to stay home for both of its postseason competitions as it will host the Big 12 Championships on March 26 - 27. Kansas State, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M join the Bears to compete in a tournament bracket format to determine league's the top equestrian team. Oklahoma State, last year's host, won the Big 12 title in 2009 with Baylor finishing second.

For the fourth straight season, Baylor will host the Varsity Equestrian National Championship at the Heart of Texas Fair and Rodeo Complex. Competition will run from April 15 - 17.