No. 8 EQ Begins Big 12 Play vs. No. 4 Oklahoma State

By Jerry Hill
Baylor Bear Insider
            After shaking off some nerves in a 13-6 road win over UT Martin two weeks ago, the eighth-ranked Baylor equestrian team (1-0) will host No. 4 Oklahoma State (0-0) at 1 p.m. Friday in its home and Big 12 opener at the Willis Family Equestrian Center.
            "Really excited to be back at home, to be opening conference play, to be back having a full regular season," fifth-year head coach Casie Maxwell said. "It was really nice to shake out some of our nerves, but we're excited to be back in our home arena, have our entire team here, have our parents in the stands and fans in the stands."
            In the Sept. 24 season opener in Martin, Tenn., the Bears swept all four individual events, with senior Caroline Fuller and junior Elsie Naruszewicz named NCEA National Riders of the Month in Fences and Horsemanship, respectively.
            "We really wanted to go in and not just win by a little bit, but win by a lot. And we did just that," said junior Savannah Hemby, who won points in both Fences and Flat. "That first meet is always kind of a big test for the rest of the year. We definitely proved ourselves in that, and we want to carry that on."
            Baylor has a leg up on the visiting Cowgirls, getting "two judged rides under our belt," Maxwell said, with the Green & Gold Scrimmage and the road meet at No. 10 UT Martin. OSU makes its season debut with Friday's matchup in Waco.
            "We think that's an advantage," Maxwell said. "It certainly makes us feel confident. I have no idea what their preparation has been like coming into this. Everyone who we're (riding) this weekend has got two judged rides under their belt. That makes them feel really good. And I feel like we're completely prepared for this."
            OSU leads the all-time series, 29-13, handing the Bears three of their eight losses last season. In last year's Big 12 Championships, hosted by Baylor, the Cowgirls pulled out a 12-8 semifinal victory over BU en route to their seventh conference title.
            "That was a huge thing, that kind of upset us," said senior Madaline Callaway, "because it was a home meet and they beat us. Just in my past years, they've always been right up against us, our biggest competitors, and have pushed us to be better in every aspect."
            Baylor also has the advantage of competing with the same horses it rides on every day in practice.
            "Every horse has their quirks. Just like people, they have their own personalities," Hemby said. "To get on one, and only have four minutes to figure it out, that's pretty difficult. But, we get to see them day in and day out. That definitely helps to understand who they are, what they like, what they don't like. We definitely have that advantage."
            Unlike last year, when attendance was limited because of COVID-19 protocols, "we're going to be able to have the gates open and share the success of the team with everyone," Maxwell said.
            "Last year, it kind of felt like everything was a 'no' and you had to worry about everything and take all the extra precautions," she said. "(Having full crowds) is a huge help for our team. Our athletes need that. They like the feeling of not only their parents, but fans who follow our sport. It means a lot to them."
            Even six months later, the Bears are still riding the high of upsetting top-seeded and two-time defending national champion Auburn, 8-7, in the NCEA National Championship quarterfinals, snapping the Tigers' 42-meet winning streak.
            "We talk about it all the time, about beating Auburn. It was a huge deal," Callaway said. "We're ready to see what we can do this year."
            Live scoring for Friday's meet is available at www.baylorbears.com.
            To stay up to date throughout the season on all things Baylor equestrian, follow the team on its official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts: @BaylorEQ.

-BaylorBears.com-

No. 8 EQ Begins Big 12 Play vs. No. 4 Oklahoma State

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Players Mentioned

Madaline Callaway

Caroline Fuller

Savannah Hemby

Elsie Naruszewicz

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