The SMU equestrian team might be young, but members feel they are ready to compete. They travel to Stillwater, Okla., on Sept. 20.

This is the first competition of the year for the Mustangs. Head coach Ashley Schaeffer, who joined the team last September, said the team, which features 10 freshmen, is excited about this season.

“The biggest struggle for the freshmen this year is acclimating to the NCAA format,” said Schaeffer. “This is the most mature team I have seen, and the older girls are doing a great job of showing them how to compete well.”

The team is led by junior captain Kristen Collins, who was chosen after former captain Lauren Hester elected to leave the team to train with recent Olympic rider Meredith Beerbaum.

“This is a great opportunity for her and SMU is greatly proud and hopes to have her back again,” Schaeffer said.

Collins, who is also ecstatic about her former teammate’s future, said she was a great asset to the team.

“I am disappointed she is not coming back this year, but we have a strong freshman class with a lot of potential,” said Collins. “Our biggest goal this year is to take advantage of the competitions we didn’t have a chance to ride in last year. The team is ready to win and capture its first victory against OSU.”

The Mustangs are competing in 15 events this year-twice as many as last year. The Mustangs will ride against top teams Baylor and Georgia, but plan to take it one competition at a time.

The team recently added assistant coach Chelsea Chapman, an SMU alum who joined the Mustangs in March, as well as upcoming freshmen,

“I came in ready to take the reins. No pun intended,” said Chapman

The upcoming event at OSU will be a test for the Mustangs. All varsity players, or “heavy hitters,” as Schaeffer puts it, will be competing along with the freshman in the JV events.

Junior Erica Buie is looking to extend her record during her last year at SMU with a win over the Cowgirls.