After securing its first Southeastern Conference Championship in program history, 2-seed Texas A&M equestrian arrived at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida, for the National Collegiate Equestrian Association quarterfinal against 7-seed TCU on Thursday, April 16. The Aggies claimed the 11-8 win to advance them to the semifinals.
To start off the afternoon contest was the Fences discipline. Up first for the Fightin’ Farmers was sophomore Grace Shipman on Schnitzel, who earned an 87.3 to claim the first point for the Aggies. Thanks to TCU senior Lex Lipacis on Marty, a score of 79 earned the Horned Frogs’ first point in Fences to tie it up, 1-1.
Junior Kate Egan got A&M back on top with a score of 81.3 on Zehn adding another point to the Aggies’ column, 2-1. Senior Alexa Leong on Hardy earned a score of 85.7, claiming the final point of Fences for the Aggies. With A&M freshman Logan Thomas and TCU sophomore Maggie Dumrauf each earning a 84.7 on Camboro in the final duel, the Aggies clung to the 3-1 lead over the Horned Frogs.
A&M and TCU entered the second discipline of the day, Reigning. Yet again, the Maroon and White struck first, this time with junior Anna Harris on Bo, earning a 72.5 to procure another point for the Fightin’ Farmers. Following in the footsteps of her fellow rider, fifth year Mattie Gustin took the victory on Shine with a score of 72.3. Another point in its pocket, A&M held onto a comfortable lead, 5-1.
To continue the Fightin’ Farmers dominance over the Horned Frogs, junior Isabelle Gonzalez saddled up on Giallo, earning a score of 73 to increase the Aggie lead to five. However, the Horned Frogs did not go down without a fight, as freshman Calla Thomas mounted Odie, earning a score of 70 and adding the second point of the day for TCU.
To cap off Reigning, senior Gracie Casebolt entered on Royce and ended her ride with a score of 71.7, outlasting her opponent by less than a half point to add another point for the Fightin’ Farmers. At the conclusion of Reigning, A&M created a 7-2 lead for TCU to chase.
In the penultimate discipline of the meet, Flat, the Aggies claimed the first point thanks to Shipman as she saddled up on Emil scoring a 84.7 and earning the eighth point for the Maroon and White.
The Horned Frogs found a resurgence during Flat as Lipacis scored a 87.7 on Itina and secured the third point for the Purple and White. Right behind Lipacis was senior Victoria Zahorik on Dento, who earned a score of 86.7 to snap the Aggies lead in half, 8-4.
In an act of retaliation, junior Nicole McMillion on Caprice found her way to a score of 87 notching the highest score for A&M during Flat. The Huntington Beach, California native pulled out the last point of the discipline and propelled the Aggies to a 9-4 lead.
As Horsemanship kicked off, TCU pounced first with a 72 from Thomas on Dually. With a 9-5 deficit, the final Flat point rolled in favor of the Purple and White from the contest between Thomas and TCU junior Lily Goldstein.
The Horned Frogs then sent out junior Peyton Staat on Cisco, who scored a 73.2, putting TCU in striking distance, 9-7.
After dropping three straight points to the Horned Frogs, the Fightin’ Farmers recollected themselves and turned back to the old momentum with junior Kendall Dirksen on Teddy. The Windsor, Colorado native earned the highest score from A&M in Horsemanship with a 76.7. To wrap up Horsemanship for the Aggies was senior Meagan Braun on Money. Braun scored a 75.8 and claimed the final point of the meet for A&M to increase its lead 11-7. To end the meet, TCU junior Marcella Bee rode on Sparky, earning a score of 73.2 in TCU’s last ditch efforts. However, an 11-8 lead for A&M punched its ticket to the semifinals.
The Aggies semifinal match up will be against 3-seed Georgia on Friday, April 17, at 8 a.m., competing for a chance to advance to the finals.
