Equestrian: 2014 National Championship

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

A bit of a rough start this morning, as Oklahoma State wins the flat 3-1.

Sylvia de Toledo with a huge point for SMU.

On to reining...

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

All four reining matchups were really close, but unfortunately Oklahoma State ended up with a 4-0 sweep.

SMU is trailing 7-1 overall with fences up next.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

SMU is hanging in there. The Mustangs are in great shape through the first round of fences.

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SMU wins fences 3-1!

Points from Emma Roberts, Sylvia de Toledo, and Schaefer Raposa.

SMU trails 8-4 overall with only horsemanship remaining.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Oklahoma State wins horsemanship 3-1.

Courtney Line with the point for SMU.

Oklahoma State wins 11-5 overall and advance to the semifinals tomorrow.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Congratulations to the SMU equestrian team on a great season.

With the addition of the new western team and changing ranches during the season, to have a convincing first-round win as the lower seed and to give the No. 2 team a run in the quarterfinals is an amazing accomplishment.

Obviously, at this level collegiate equestrian is extremely competitive, but the four reining points OSU picked up today were by a total of 18.5 points. SMU also had three of the top four fences scores today, but unfortunately Fischer was matched with the OSU rider who posted a high score.

If a couple of those points go the other way and SMU has a shot heading to horsemanship who knows what happens if OSU is under some pressure.

Anyway, the past couple of days have been incredible experience for our young team, and the best is definitely to come.

Thanks to Coach Burton and Coach Adkins for a fantastic season!

Go Mustangs!

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

SMU release:

http://www.smumustangs.com/sports/w-equest/recaps/041814aaa.html

“We always knew it was going to be a tough day,” head coach Natalie Burton said. “They are one of the top teams in the country for a reason. I thought the hunt seat girls did a really great job, after a few bobbles early on. They fought back really well. They (Oklahoma State) are the best western team in the country, they always have been. With that said, I thought our western girls did a great job keeping their composure, laying out solid rounds and getting a point in horsemanship.”

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Wow. The national championship finals were so intense!

Georgia defeated South Carolina on the raw score tiebreaker at 8-8.

Georgia was down 8-7 heading to the final ride in reining and they were able to pull it out with a clutch ride.

Congratulations.