Late Heroics Push TCU Past SMU

Thursday, October 10

Fort Worth, Texas

10 AM

TCU

SMU

Late Heroics Push TCU Past SMU

10/10/2019 5:00:00 PM | Equestrian

Scoresheet Photo Gallery

Frogs ride 7-3 Jumping Seat-win to victory

FORT WORTH, Texas – The No. 6 TCU equestrian program took down fifth-ranked SMU, 11-9, Thursday afternoon at Diamond Creek Ranch. The meet was decided in the final ride, as Alex Beneson came through with a clutch 87 in Flat that won the meet for the Frogs.

DIRECTOR OF EQUESTRIAN HALEY SCHOOLFIELD
"It was really nice to see the team rally around (Beneson), everybody was all in and cheered her throughout her entire ride, which, as a coach, you want to see because it shows how great of team chemistry we have. It is always a battle when we face SMU and we are thrilled to come out on top. We take the Battle for the Iron Skillet to equestrian as well. They are a well-coached, talented team, we know they are always going to bring it, which makes this win extra special for us."

THE RUNDOWN
The day kicked off with Fences as TCU took home four of the five points awarded in the event. Izzy Baxter, Misty Redd and Raegan Rast each rode to scores greater than 80, earning a point apiece for the team. Baxter registered a team-high score of 85, which was good enough to get the MOP honor in Fences Wynne Weatherly picked up the final point for the Frogs, winning 79-75 on Elle.

The attention then turned to the Reining ring, where Carly Lombard and Maddie Pritchett picked up two points for TCU. Pritchett won her collegiate opener, defeating SMU's Aubrey Alderman, 67.5-65.5, on Diesel.

For the first time at Diamond Creek Ranch, TCU would compete in the Horsemanship event in the newly-constructed covered arena. Anna Hauter and Josie Mootz supplied the points for the Horned Frogs, winning with scores of 75 and 74.5, respectively.

The Frogs led 8-7 as both teams heading into the final event, Flat. SMU notched the first point, but TCU's Misty Redd countered with a 76-73 win for the Frogs on Biggie. Wynne Weatherly tried to overcome an 87 from Kirsten Ostling, but rode to an 83 with another point for the Mustangs. Following another point from SMU, Lanie Walkenbach continued the hot start to her career, winning 84-78 on Lina.

With the Frog's backs against the wall, it would all come down to Beneson's ride, needing to score higher than an 81 to seal the victory. Beneson not only emerged victorious in the event, but she did so registering a career-high score of 87 on Fiona, and leading TCU to the 11-9 victory.

NOTES
* TCU earned its second ranked victory of the season, improving its record to 2-1 against top-10 foes.
* This is the first victory for the Frogs against a higher-ranked opponent this season.
* Alex Beneson's 87 in Flat is a new career high.
* Izzy Baxter won her second MOP of the season in Fences, giving her seven total in just her second season.
* Senior Misty Redd avenged her first collegiate loss in Flat which came at the hands of SMU back in 2016.
* Freshman Maddie Pritchett made her collegiate debut, winning 67.5-65.5 on Diesel.

UP NEXT
The Frogs will hit the road next weekend, first taking on Sweet Briar and SUNY New Paltz on Friday, Oct 18 at Auburn, Ala. TCU will wrap-up the weekend taking on No. 1 Auburn on Saturday, Oct. 19.