CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL
For the fourth time in five seasons Oklahoma State has taken the Big 12 Equestrian Championship crown. The Cowgirls clinched the 2016 title topping Baylor, 13-6, while TCU defeated Kansas State, 11-8, to clinch the bronze.
OSU jumped out to an early 3-2 lead on Equitation over Fences, as junior Maggie Drysch tallied an event-high score of 182. The Cowgirls then extended their advantage to 7-3, posting a 4-1 win on the flat. Every OSU competitor scored no lower than 156 on the event. The two squads both tallied a couple of points in Horsemanship, before Oklahoma State clinched the victory with a 4-1 win in Reining.
In the third place match, K-State took a 3-2 lead on fences, before TCU countered with a 3-1 victory on the flat. At the end of the hunter seat the Horned Frogs held a slim 5-4 lead. TCU then extended their lead with a 4-1 advantage in the Horsemanship event. Kansas State’s Danielle Kemper tallied an event-high 148. The two squads finished out the match, with K-State earning a 3-2 advantage in Reining, but the Wildcats could not catch TCU, falling by the tally 8-11.
Following Saturday’s competition, the All-Big 12 team and regular season winners were announced, along with the 2016 Most Outstanding Performer honors. Baylor’s Savannah Jenkins (Equitation over Fences) and Kaylee Mellott (Horsemanship) along with TCU’s Carley Barnett (Equitation on the Flat) and Chantz Stewart (Reining) earned MOP awards. Baylor’s Alicia Gasser (Equitation on the Flat), OSU’s Ty Paris (Horsemanship), TCU’s Molly Peddicord (Equitation over Fences) and Chantz Stewart (Reining) took home Rider of the Year accolades as well. Kansas State’s Casie Maxwell was named Coach of the Year.
League squads will resume competition April 13-16 during the NCEA Championship, hosted by Baylor in Waco, Texas. Rankings and brackets will be announced April 1.
2016 Big 12 Equestrian Championship Awards
Equitation over Fences: Savannah Jenkins, Baylor
Equitation on the Flat: Carley Barnett, TCU
Horsemanship: Kaylee Mellott, Baylor
Reining: Chantz Stewart, TCU
All-Big 12 Team
Equitation Over Fences:
Carly Barrick, So., Oklahoma State
Savannah Jenkins, Jr., Baylor
Paige Parker, Sr., Baylor
Molly Peddicord, Jr., TCU
Equitation On The Flat:
Jorden Davis, Jr., Oklahoma State
Alicia Gasser, Jr., Baylor
Savannah Jenkins, Jr., Baylor
Molly Peddicord, Jr., TCU
Horsemanship:
Mary Brown, Sr., Baylor
Charlotte Green, So., Baylor
Megan McMullen, Jr., TCU
Ty Paris, Sr., Oklahoma State
Reining:
Ginger Chant, Jr., Baylor
Ebba Lange, So., Oklahoma State
Elizabeth Shank, Jr., Baylor
Chantz Stewart, Sr., TCU
Equitation Over Fences ROY: Molly Peddicord, Jr., TCU
Equitation On The Flat ROY: Alicia Gasser, Jr., Baylor
Horsemanship ROY: Ty Paris, Sr., Oklahoma State
Reining ROY: Chantz Stewart, Sr., TCU
Coach Of The Year: Casie Maxwell, Kansas State