WACO, Texas - The Baylor equestrian team, a national quarterfinalist last season, will begin its 2014-15 season this Friday and Saturday by hosting the Willis Invitational. The No. 6 Bears welcome No. 10 SMU, Fresno State and UT Martin to the Willis Equestrian Center for a round-robin meet.

Baylor head Coach Ellen White said she is optimistic about the team this year due to veteran leadership.

"We are looking forward to our season coming up," said White. "We have a strong hunt seat team, and we expect them to be really good this year. We compete at home all fall and have a heavier road schedule in the spring. Our spring meets will be against tough competition; we are playing all the big boys in our regular season, which is good because when we get to the championships we will know how we stack up."

The Willis Invitational starts at 10 a.m. Friday, and Baylor faces UT Martin (Tenn.) while SMU and Fresno State University compete in a head-to-head meet. The second round begins Friday as well as the teams flip flop with Baylor facing Fresno State and the Mustangs taking on UTM.

Saturday, the teams will complete round two and move on to round three where FSU will compete against UTM and Baylor will compete against SMU. The tournament will end Saturday where the round-robin winner will be determined along with individual awards at 3 p.m.

Baylor finished the 2013-14 season 8-7 overall, the Bears were the runner up at the Big 12 Championships, and reached the NCEA Quarterfinals round before the eventual national champion, Georgia, ended the Bears' season.

The Willis Invitational is in its sixth year and Baylor has won all five of the previous meets.

"I expect to bring home the trophy for Willis," said White. "We haven't lost it yet and I don't think it would be good for us to start."

Fans can attend the meet free of charge and keep up with Baylor's equestrian team on Twitter by following the handle @BaylorEQ.

Schedule of Events
Friday September 26, 2014, 10 a.m. start
Round 1: BU vs UTM - SMU vs FSU
Draw in the Carlile Equestrian Team Building in the Conference room
Indoor Arena: 1st Fences; 2nd Flat
Outdoor Arena: 1st Reining; 2nd Horsemanship

Round 2: SMU vs UTM - BU vs FSU
Draw in the Carlile Equestrian Team Building in the Conference room
Indoor Arena: Flat
Outdoor Arena: Reining

(End of first day)

Saturday September 27, 2013, 10 a.m. start
Round 2: (continued)
Indoor Arena: Fences
Outdoor Arena: Horsemanship

Round 3: FSU vs UTM -BU vs SMU
Draw in the Carlile Equestrian Team Building in the Conference room
Indoor Arena: 1st Fences; 2nd Flat
Outdoor Arena: 1st Reining; 2nd Horsemanship

Awards Ceremony, approximately 3 p.m.