July 30, 2007

WACO, Texas - The 2007-08 Baylor equestrian schedule features 15 competitions to prepare the third-year squad for postseason action head coach Ellen White announced Monday. In addition, the Bears, who finished eighth in last season's Baylor-hosted Varsity Equestrian National Championships, have competitions scheduled against six of the top seven team finishers in last season's national finals (No. 2 Texas A&M, No. 3 Georgia, No. 4 Kansas State, No. 5 Oklahoma State, No. 6 New Mexico State, No. 7 Auburn).

"Last season we competed in eight events in the fall and five in the spring and I felt that we needed to strengthen our schedule this season to fully prepare our team for postseason competition. In the upcoming year we will participate in six fall and nine spring events prior to competing in the Big 12 Invitational and the Varsity Championships," said White. "We are playing a well-rounded schedule that will give our young team a good mix of competition," White added.

The Bears will open the season on Saturday, Sept. 29 by hosting Georgia, a third place finisher in last season's Varsity Championships. They will then hit the road for three consecutive competitions as they travel to Kansas State (Oct. 12), Oklahoma State (Oct. 13) and Texas A&M (Oct. 21). On Oct. 26 & 27, Delaware State, Stephen F. Austin and TCU will join Baylor in Waco for a four-team tournament. The Bears close out the fall portion of their schedule on Nov. 18 when they host Oklahoma State.

After hosting five of the team's five spring events last season, four of the Bears' first five spring competitions will be on the road. They travel to New Mexico State on Jan. 26, and then compete at Stephen F. Austin on Feb. 2 before hosting Texas A&M on Feb. 9. Baylor then hits the road again for contests at Auburn (Feb. 16) and Georgia (Feb. 17). Three home events against Kansas State (Feb. 22), Fresno State (Feb. 23) and Tennessee-Martin (March 1) will be conducted before the Bears close out regular-season competition at TCU (March 8).

Kansas State will host the second-annual Big 12 Invitational on March 28-29 as Baylor, Kansas State, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M compete in a tournament bracket format to determine the top equestrian team in the conference.

For the second straight season, Baylor will host the Varsity Equestrian National Championship at the Heart of Texas Fair and Rodeo Complex. Competition will run from April 17 - 19 in the Dodge Show Pavilion.

* Varsity Equestrian National Championships - Heart of Texas Fair and Rodeo Complex in the Dodge Show Pavilion.