EQ Set For Season Opener Against South Dakota State

WACO, Texas – Baylor equestrian is set to open its 2026-27 season at home against South Dakota State on Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Willis Family Equestrian Center in Waco.

This will be the first time in eight years that the Bears will open their season at home, dating back to the 2018-19 opener against Delaware State.

Head coach Casie Maxwell returns for her 10^th season in charge and leads a squad of 46 student-athletes that includes 2026 All-Big 12 Flat Team member Morgan McCarthy. Additionally, BU returns nine point-winners from last season, including junior Britt McIlnay who led the Reining squad with six wins in 2025-26 and senior Carley Rutledge who won three of her final four points last season.

Baylor is back in action after a 3-9 campaign and a trip to the semifinals of the 2026 Big 12 Tournament. The Bears were ranked No. 8 in the 2025 NCEA Preseason Dual Discipline Poll but would ultimately end the year at the No. 10 spot.

BU holds an undefeated 4-0 record against SDSU during the Maxwell Era and is 9-0 against the Jackrabbits all time.

Live scoring for the meet will be available here.

Following this week's season opener, the Bears travel east to Dover, Del., for a doubleheader against Delaware State and UT Martin on Friday, Oct. 2.

For more information on Baylor Equestrian, follow @BaylorEQ on X, Instagram and Facebook.

-BaylorBears.com-

EQ Set For Season Opener Against South Dakota State

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Players Mentioned

Morgan McCarthy

Britt McIlnay

Carley Rutledge

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