NCEA Showdown This Valentine’s Day! No. 2 TCU Will Battle No. 1 Baylor

FORT WORTH, Texas – Fresh off its victory over nationally ranked SMU, the No. 2 ranked TCU equestrian program returns to the show ring Saturday versus No. 1 Baylor at Turning Point Ranch. Start time is set for 10:00 a.m. in Springtown.

“In athletics, the next competition is always the most important one of the year,” said TCU Director of Equestrian Haley Schoolfield. “That statement couldn’t be more true as we prepare to face No. 1 Baylor. This team certainly has the talent and work ethic to be the best. I am looking forward to seeing that play out on Saturday.”

The Horned Frogs bring a 5-1 overall record into this weekend’s matchup, including a 2-0 mark in league play at home. The Bears come into Saturday with a perfect 10-0 record, which includes a 3-0 mark in Big 12 action. During that span, Baylor has only left Waco once and is coming off an 11-8 victory over Texas A&M.

“We just came off a win against SMU and are feeling good,” said Western Head Coach Kindel Walter. “We are looking forward to hosting the No. 1 team this weekend. It will definitely be a great competition.”

Follow The Horned Frogs
A full recap and final results will be available following competition Saturday on GoFrogs.com. During the meet, live results will be made available at the official TCU equestrian twitter page. Fans are encouraged to follow @TCUWEquestrian.

The All-Time Series
TCU will battle the Bears for the 16th time in program history Saturday and the second time this season. The Frogs will look to improve to 8-8 all-time against Baylor after falling earlier this year, 11-8, in Waco.

Home Sweet Home
TCU is currently 3-0 at home this season after dropping SMU this past weekend, 11-7. With the win, the Frogs improved to 8-1 overall in Springtown the last two years. The Purple and White are 5-0 against league foes during that stretch and have won six-straight at home against Big 12 competition. TCU’s last loss at home in league play was against Oklahoma State on Feb. 24, 2013, an 11-8 setback.

MOP Notable Sophomore Kari Hancock has had quite the sophomore season. In six meets this season, the Alaska native had garnered four MOP rides in Equitation on the Flat. During her career, Hancock has rode in 15 meets, while earning five MOP’s. She is currently 5-1-0 on the season on the Flat.

Scouting TCU
TCU comes into this Saturday’s showdown looking to move to 6-1 on the season and 3-1 in league play. The Horned Frogs, who stayed put at No. 2 in the NCEA rankings this week, claimed three out of the four MOP’s en route to an 11-7 victory over then No. 8 SMU in their last outing.

Individually, several student-athletes have opened the 2014-15 campaign in style on the Hunt Seat side, including junior Nicole Diamantis who has gone 8-4 between Equitation on the Flat and over Fences. Sophomore Kari Hancock has also been solid, capturing four MOP honors in Equitation on the Flat. The Alaska native has now posted five MOP awards during her young career and is 5-1-0 on the season in Equitation on the Flat. Finally, senior Kaitlin Perry has recorded a 10-0-2 mark with two MOP’s between the two disciplines.

On the Western side, returning All-America honoree Erin Gillette has garnered two victories in Horsemanship with one MOP, while Megan McMullen has also been victorious, riding to a 3-1-0 record in the discipline with three MOP’s. In Reining, Katelyn Gray, who is 6-1-0 in Horsemanship, leads the way for TCU with a 4-2 mark and two MOP’s. Chantz Stewart has been just as productive, going a perfect 3-0 in competition during conference play in Reining.

Scouting Baylor
No. 1 Baylor comes into Saturday with a 10-0 record. The Bears, who have only left Waco once during the course of their 10-game winning streak this season, haven’t lost since falling to Georgia at the NCEA National Championships last April. In their last outing, Baylor defeated then No. 6 Texas A&M, 11-8. The Bears also claimed two MOP rides as Parris Rice and Sam Schaefer scored victories with a 77 and 84, respectively.

Up Next
TCU will travel to Manhattan to take on Kansas State on Friday, Feb. 20.