A&M starts equestrian season with 14-6 win over No. 2 SMU

Youngchan Kang, Sports Writer

October 4, 2024

An Aggie rides in the horsemanship portion during Texas A&M’s Maroon and White scrimmage at the Hildebrand Equine Complex on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024.

No. 4 Texas A&M equestrian opened up its season at the Hildebrand Equine Complex, hosting the No. 2 SMU Mustangs on Thursday. The Aggies beat the Mustangs, who won the Dual Discipline NCEA Championship last season, 14-6, while holding SMU to one point in three separate events.

The Aggies started on a high note in the Flat competition, dominating with a score of 4-1. Points between senior Brooke Brombach, junior Devan Thomas, fifth year Devon Thomas and senior Rylee Shufelt combined for a total score of 309. The only point the Mustangs gained was from senior Elli Yeager, who scored an 84.5 to beat graduate Maggie Nealon’s score of 81.5.

The next event showed no luck for SMU as the Aggies dominated in Reining with another 4-1 showing. Junior Gracie Casebolt, senior Lauren Hanson, senior Mattie Gustin and sophomore Isabella Gonzalez all gained a single point each. The only point the Mustangs gained was from graduate Chalyce Head, who edged out sophomore Anna Harris by half a point at 72-71.5.

An Aggie rides in the horsemanship portion during Texas A&M’s Maroon and White scrimmage at the Hildebrand Equine Complex on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (Photo by Karis Olson)

The Aggies fell short by one point in Fences, trailing 3-2 with their only points from sophomore Kate Egan, who scored an 88.25, and Brombach, who scored an 86. Junior Hannah Hoch, junior Augusta Iwasaki and redshirt freshman Aedan Mooney gained points for the Mustangs with scores of 63.5, 85 and 77.5, respectively, to put them up by one.

The Horsemanship competition wrapped up the Aggies’ successful day as senior Hanna Olaussen, sophomore Kendall Dirksen, senior Millie Landon and junior Megan Braun picked up a point each, outscoring the Mustangs, 4-1. Graduate Nya Kearns was the only Mustang to gain a point for SMU with a score of 76.25.

“I couldn’t be more proud,” A&M coach Tana McKay said in a press release. “Holding SMU to only one point in three events is a really big deal because they’re obviously a very good team. I’m so proud of how this team worked behind the scenes. Everyone did their job, and it showed. I couldn’t be more proud.”

The Aggies will travel to Felton, Delaware to match up against Delaware State on Friday, Oct. 11.

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