Sept. 10, 2009

The Baylor equestrian team will open its 2009-10 season by hosting the second-annual Willis Invitational on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 11 and 12 at the Willis Family Equestrian Center. The event is open to the public and no admission is charged.

The competition will open with Miami (Ohio) taking on TCU beginning at 4:00 p.m., Friday. Baylor will make its season debut at approximately 6:00 p.m. beginning with horsemanship and flat against Miami (Ohio). The two team's will wrap up jumping and reining starting at 9:30 a.m. Saturday before the Bears take on TCU starting at 10:30 a.m.

The competition format will feature a series of head-to-head match ups. The team accumulating the most head-to-head victories will win the overall match. In the event of a tie, the victor will be determined by total points. In addition, there will be an individual award for the most valuable rider in each event.

"We are very excited about hosting this event for the second year," head coach Ellen White said. "Our team is ready to go and it's always nice to be in front of our fans."

Baylor returns 14 letterwinners from a team that finished fourth in Hunter Seat competition at the 2009 Varsity Equestrian National Championship and was ranked No. 1 in the coaches' poll during the season. The Bears welcome back seniors Allison Orosz and Madelyn Mooney, who were team MVPs in Western riding horsemanship and reining, respectively, and sophomores Lisa Goldman, Amber Mooney and Kara Fergusson.

The Willis Family Equestrian Center is located on University Parks Drive, approximately one mile past Baylor's Ferrell Center.

Schedule of Events

Friday, Sept. 11
4:00 p.m. - First Round - Miami (Ohio) vs. TCU
6:00 p.m. - Second Round - Baylor vs. Miami (Ohio) (Horsemanship and Flat)

Saturday, Sept. 12
9:30 a.m. - Second Round - Baylor vs. Miami (Ohio) (Jumping and Reining)
10:30 a.m. - Third Round - Baylor vs. TCU
2:00 p.m. - Awards Ceremony