No. 3 Baylor Equestrian Opens Season Hosting Willis Invitational
10/8/2015 12:00:00 AM | Equestrian
 #5 FRESNO STATE BULLDOGS2015 Record: 1-1 Head Coach: Eric Hubbard (2nd season) | Friday, Oct. 9, 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m. Willis Family Equestrian Center (Waco, TX) |
 #9 NEW MEXICO STATE AGGIES2015 Record: 1-0 Head Coach: Robin Morris-Walters (1st season) | Friday, Oct. 9, 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m. Willis Family Equestrian Center (Waco, TX) |
 TENNESSEE-MARTIN SKYHAWKS2015 Record: 8-3 Head Coach: Meghan Cunningham Corvin (10th season) | Friday, Oct. 9, 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m. Willis Family Equestrian Center (Waco, TX) |
WACO, Texas - The Baylor equestrian team, a national semifinalist last season, will begin its 2015-16 season this Friday and Saturday by hosting the Willis Invitational.
The No. 3 Bears welcome No. 5 Fresno State, No. 9 New Mexico State, and UT-Martin to the Willis Family Equestrian Center for a round-robin meet.
Baylor head Coach Ellen White said the tournament will be a great opportunity to see the team against strong rivals.
"I feel that we are ready, there are strong teams that are coming," said Willis. "Fresno is ranked fifth in the nation. We have graduated a lot of our western-side show riders, but we have a lot of really good freshmen that are in there, too."
The Willis Invitational starts at 10 a.m. Friday, with Baylor facing Fresno State University, while New Mexico State and UT-Martin (Tenn.) compete in a head-to-head meet.
Baylor finished the 2014-15 season 14-5 overall, winning the Big 12 Championships and reaching the NCEA Semifinals round before the eventual national champion, South Carolina, ended the season for BU.
The Willis Invitational is in its eight year and Baylor has won all seven of the previous meets.
"Richard and Karen Willis have really stepped up and been big supporters of the equestrian program," White said. "This is the Willis Family Equestrian Trophy for the invitational, so it's important to win it. We want to win it for them."
On Saturday afternoon there will be pony rides and bounce castles, with the NCEA BBQ beginning after the meet's conclusion, featuring Vitek's and Vanilla Bean food trucks.
Fans can keep up with Baylor's equestrian team on Twitter by following the handle @BaylorEQ.
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