TCU Opens 2019 Season with South Dakota State

Thursday, September 26

Fort Worth, Texas

10 AM

TCU

South Dakota State

TCU Opens 2019 Season with South Dakota State

9/25/2019 4:05:00 PM | Equestrian

Horned Frogs host first official meet at Diamond Creek Ranch

FORT WORTH, Texas – TCU equestrian will host South Dakota State for the 2019-20 season opener Thursday at 10 a.m. The meet will mark the opening meet for the Frogs' new home at Diamond Creek Ranch.

DIRECTOR OF EQUESTRIAN HALEY SCHOOLFIELD
"The official kick off a new year is always filled with excitement and of course this one is no different. We are so excited to host South Dakota State this week and see if we can pick up right where we left off. We will rely heavily on our older team members while also bringing in some new talent this year. We can't wait to see all this season has to hold."

SCOUTING THE FROGS
The Frogs tab a very experienced unit to start their first meet of the year.

Only one freshman is set to compete with Maddy Buchanan representing the Frogs in Reining. She joins an All-American lineup with Claire Dittrich, Elena Hurd and Carly Lombard all receiving the recognition from the NCEA last season. Skylar Smith also has her number called to start in the event.

Junior Alex Beneson and sophomores Izzy Baxter and Wynne Weatherly are scheduled to compete in both Jumping Seat events. The trio will be joined by Raegan Rast and Grace Upshaw in Fences. In Flat, sophomores Niki Barnes and Jacey Albaugh will take the saddle for TCU.

In their first time back, the Nationals event runner-up, Horsemanship will feature three of the same riders that competed in the main event, Cydney Benes, Jamie Cook and Josie Mootz. Two more Frogs will join that bunch, Anna Hauter and Drew Rogers who both saw action last season and will kick off their 2019 campaign against the Jackrabbits.

SCOUTING THE JACKRABBITS
South Dakota State is coming off a 1-8 season last year. The Jackrabbits have a new coaching structure after Coach Wilkins left the program this offseason. SDSU will now be led by both second-year Western coach Morgan DiGiulio and first year Jumping Seat coach Marielle Golden. Senior leadership resides in both disciplines as Jordan Gates, Emily Keiser and Rylee Streit lead the team on the Western front. Claire Garduno and Jessica Martinez headline the English side.

SERIES HISTORY
TCU is 6-3 against South Dakota State all-time. The Frogs are a dominating 3-0 when hosting the Jackrabbits for competition. The last meeting between the two sides was Feb. 9, 2019 in Brookings, S.D. where the Frogs left the below 0 outdoor temperature meet with a 12-7 victory. The last victory for SDSU was on Feb. 26, 2016 when it won 11-7.

FOLLOW THE FROGS
A full recap and final results will be available online at GoFrogs.com following the completion of the meet. During the meet, live results can be found on the official TCU equestrian Twitter page. Fans are encouraged to follow along with the @TCUWEquestrian account.