TCU
Oklahoma State
TCU Advances to National Semifinals
4/19/2018 12:00:00 AM | Equestrian
WACO, Texas -- No. 6 TCU equestrian furthered its reputation of postseason success as the Frogs knocked off No. 3 Oklahoma State, 10-6, in the quarterfinals of the NCEA National Championship on Thursday at the Extraco Events Center.
TCU moves on to the national semifinals for the third straight season and will take on No. 2 Auburn on Thursday evening. The winner between the Frogs and Tigers will take on the winner of No. 1 Georgia and No. 4 Texas A&M in Saturday's national title match. The Frogs were the only lower-seeded team to win in the quarterfinals.
TCU last played Auburn in the 2016 NCEA National Championship title match with the Tigers winning a very close, 8-7, match.
TCU (9-8) avenged this season's three losses to Oklahoma State (10-4) on the biggest stage, and did so with a very strong showing in its Hunt Seat rides. The Frogs got six of their 10 points from the Flat and Fences arenas, outscoring the Cowgirls, 6-2, in Hunt Seat Competition.
The Rundown
The day started with Equitation on the Flat and Horsemanship competing simultaneously. In Horsemanship, the Frogs and Cowgirls rode to a 2-2 draw. Josie Mootz grabbed TCU's first point with a 148-point ride on Seven. Laska Anderson won TCU's second point, doing so on Shirley with a 138.5. Cydney Benes had TCU's best score of 150, on Lexi, but narrowly dropper her point against OSU's Harley Huff's 150.5-point ride.
TCU grabbed a 3-1 advantage on the Flat. Alex Beneson was the Frogs' first rider, posting a 153 on Satin that stood up for the Frogs' first point. Carley Barnett was dominant with a 167-point ride on Mojo, winning her matchup by nearly 20 points. Jayme Omand capped the competition with a 160 for a point on Callisto.
The Frogs held their ground with a 2-2 showing in Reining to open the afternoon. Claire Dittrich with a 139 on Bullseyed and Carly Lombard with a 136.5 on Fred won TCU's two points.
The Hunt Seat side had another great showing in Equitation Over Fences, clinching the Frogs' win with another 3-1 advantage. Beneson got TCU's first point in the event with a 163-point ride on Lux, her second win of the match. Elizabeth McKim had the match-clinching point with a 157 on Carmina. Omand rounded out TCU's scoring with her second win of the day, this one thanks to a 152 on Marley.
Up Next
TCU takes on No. 2 Auburn in the semifinals on Thursday evening. The winner moves on to Saturday's national title match.
TCU will also be in action on Friday when the Frogs return to play in the event brackets with quarterfinals in Fences against Georgia and in Horsemanship against Oklahoma State. The event semifinals will also be played on Friday.
Players Mentioned
