The SMU equestrian team captured its second straight victory Saturday, defeating Stephen F. Austin 10-2 in a duel at Dallas’ Park Lane Equestrian Center.
It was the Mustangs’ first duel of the spring season. The Mustangs (2-3) have two matches remaining this year, both at home and against familiar foes.
They will seek revenge against Fresno State on Feb. 22. The Bulldogs defeated SMU 10-2 in the Mustangs’ second duel in the fall portion of the season at Fresno.
In their season finale on March 29, the Mustangs will renew a bitter rivalry with Fort Worth opponent Texas Christian. The Mustangs defeated TCU 6-5 in November, thanks to a pre-game coaching penalty on TCU, which cost the Horned Frogs the deciding point.
There was no controversy in Saturday’s match against the Ladyjacks, as SMU dominated throughout.
Sophomore Kristen Collins won MVP in equitation on the flat, and sophomore Kathryn Garvie captured top honors in equitation over fences.
“The girls did awesome today,” said SMU’s first-year coach, Ashley Schaeffer. “We got great support from parents and fellow friends and students. It makes a big difference to have a home crowd.”
SMU was plagued with injuries in the fall, when the Mustangs stumbled to an 0-3 record before the narrow victory over TCU. The Mustangs returned to full strength during the 76-day layoff between the TCU and Stephen F. Austin duels.
Freshmen Lauren Lieberman and Katherine Wilson and junior Lauren Hester each had injuries at various points in the fall season, said Schaeffer, but all were available for the Stephen F. Austin match.
“We’ve revamped our roster,” said Schaeffer. “It’s great to have (Lieberman, Wilson and Hester) here. They’re three awesome riders.”
The Mustangs had only about a week and a half of practice as a team before their duel with the Ladyjacks on Saturday, said Schaeffer, but she was pleased with how the riders performed.
“Having a competition in January is always difficult,” said Schaeffer. “But the girls had a lot of discipline and a lot of focus, and they stepped up to the plate.”
SMU was also aided by the fact that the team practices at Park Lane Equestrian Center, where the Mustangs started competing this season. Three of the Mustangs’ four fall duels were on the road, and Schaeffer hopes her team can finish strong with a three-game home stretch to finish the season.
“[Competing on the road] made a large difference,” said Schaeffer. “Lots of competitions in the fall were far away, and we had to fly to get there. It makes a difference to be able to compete in the barn where they practice every day.”
