April 15, 2010

Championship Central

WACO, Texas - The Baylor equestrian team completed the first day of the 2010 Varsity Equestrian National Championships, as the No. 9 seeded western squad knocked off No. 8 Fresno State, 4-3, while the No. 5 seed hunter seat team was upset by No. 12 TCU, 5-3 in the opening round. In round two, the western side fell to No. 1 Texas A&M, 5-3.

"Well it was a tough day for Hunter Seat but I am proud of our Western team," head coach Ellen White said.

The Bears' western team was tied at two after Horsemanship, as Lindsey Tomko (142-132.5) and Allison Orosz (145-138) picked up the wins for BU. In Reining, Tomko tied Keri Blackledge at 137.5, while Katie Buss (134-132) and Amber Mooney (109.5-87) earned the needed wins to give Baylor the 4-3 victory.

In the nightcap, Baylor and A&M finished Horsemanship tied at two, as Lindsey Tomko (142.5-139) and Allison Orosz (140-139.5) each registered wins for the Bears. The Aggies pulled away in Reining, as BU got a lone point from Amber Mooney (141-136.5) who earned her second win of the day.

"I thought the Western side came out an performed the way they wanted and was able to take advantage of it," White said.

In Hunter Seat, Baylor was tied at two with TCU after Fences. Kara Fergusson recorded the second highest Reining score of the entire day, winning 169-145, while Lisa Goldman earned a 165-154 win. The Bears evened the score at three apiece with a 141-119 win for Heather Healy, but that was as close as they would get, dropping the next two points.

"We left the door open for TCU and they came right in," White said. "We rode well, but TCU gave the judges what they were looking for."

Baylor's western team will compete against No. 4 TCU beginning with Reining at 3:00 p.m. at the Heart O' Texas Fair Complex. Heather Healy will also be in action starting at 3:00 p.m., competing in the Individual Championships. Admission is free and open to the public.