March 26, 2010

WACO, Texas - The No. 7 Baylor Equestrian team (8-8) defeated No. 4 Oklahoma State 13-3 Friday afternoon in day one of the Big 12 Championships at the Willis Family Equestrian Center in Waco. Baylor will be in the championship round for the second-straight season.

"We rode well today," head coach Ellen White said. "Tomorrow will be a mental test for us, but if we come out with the same fire we did today, we could be holding the trophy."

The Bears got off to a good start, sweeping Equitation on the Flat 4-0. Margaret Beaudoin, Heather Healy, Melanie Appel and Mary Smitson each scored points for the Bears. Appel's 150-143 victory was good enough to earn her MVP honors.

Baylor continued to dominate winning Equitation over Fences 3-1. Taylor Brown, Lisa Goldman and Kara Fergusson scored points for the Bears. Fergusson also picked up MVP honors and resulted in Baylor having a 7-1 advantage through half of the events.

The Bears broadened their lead winning Horsemanship 3-1. Allison Orosz's score of 149.5 was good enough to earn her MVP honors. Lindsey Tomko and Meghan Murphy also contributed points for the Bears.

Baylor finished strong, winning Reining 3-1. Madelyn Mooney, Katie Buss and Amber Mooney scored for the Bears and Madelyn Mooney earned MVP honors. The Bears finished the match with a 13-3 win over Oklahoma State.

Texas A&M 10, Kansas State 6 Despite a 2-2 tie in Equitation on the Flat to begin the competition, Texas A&M was able to pull away to a 10-6 victory. The Aggies and Wildcats tied Hunter Seat 4-4 and the Aggies won Western 6-2.

The Big 12 Championships will continue tomorrow beginning at 9 a.m. at the Willis Family Equestrian Center in Waco. Baylor will compete against Texas A&M for the Big 12 title, while Kansas State and Oklahoma State will battle for third.