The nationally ranked TCU equestrian program closed action at the 2011 Varsity Equestrian National Championships Friday at the Extraco Events Center.
Junior Courtney Chown closed her All-American season with an 11-1 overall record.
“This has been a fantastic team to be a part of,” said head coach Gary Reynolds. “We are all disappointed in the outcome, but not in the way we rode. Sometimes things just don’t go your way, but I am very proud of this team this season.”
The No. 6 seeded Horned Frogs opened the day falling to No. 3 Auburn, 4-2. In a close battle, the Tigers outscored the Frogs’ Western squad, 1,156.6-1,132.5. Overall, TCU recorded a 2-1 decision in Horsemanship, but dropped a 3-0 outing to Auburn in Reining.
In Horsemanship, Kelsey Huffman got the Frogs going early, defeating Kristin Hansen, 149.5-148. Junior Courtney Chown was also victorious in the event and remained perfect on the season with a 149.5-148 decision over Indy Roper. Honorable Mention All-America honoree Ashley Aikman appeared to have scored another point for the Purple and White, but battled Mary Casey to a 146.5-146.5 draw.
Huffman, a senior from California, tried to rally TCU in Reining, but dropped her first match in Waco, falling to Auburn’s Paige Monfore, 150.5-145. Freshman Devin Spencer had a solid outing for the Frogs in the event, recording a 142-142 draw against Jillian Fuller.
In the night session, No. 2 Oklahoma State overcame a 2-2 draw in Reining to record a 5-3 decision over the Horned Frogs. The Cowgirls outscored TCU, 1,172.5-1,158.
Senior Kelly Morris and sophomore Kolby Simonson both tallied points for the Frogs in Reining, defeating Christy McElreath and Rachel Houchin, respectively.
Huffman, who closed her TCU career Friday night, recorded the lone point for the Purple and White in Horsemanship against the Cowgirls, upending Mamie Tomlin, 150-149.5. Chown, an All-America recipient, tried to score a point for TCU, but was unsuccessful, falling to Marissa Dalton, 150.5-148.5. With the loss, Chown closed her junior campaign with an 11-1 overall record, which is one of the best overall records in program history. Fellow junior Lyndsi Hardin appeared to have scored a point for the Frogs in the event as well, but dropped a hard-fought match to Lauren Halvorson, 152-151.
On the Hunt Seat side, No. 5 seeded Texas A&M dropped No. 9 TCU, 8-0. Senior Tassie Munroe tried to jump-start the Frogs in Equitation on the Flat, but fell to Hannah Soibelman, 154-150, while Milana Trimino just missed scoring a point for the Frogs in the event, falling to Kristen Bell, 138-133.
TCU closed its season at the 2011 Varsity Equestrian National Championships.
