March 28, 2007
The Texas A&M equestrian team was awarded high seeds for next month?â„¢s Varsity Equestrian National Championships, according to brackets released by the selection committee this week.
The A&M western team will enter the national championship show on April 18-20 as the top team in the competition. The western riders have posted a 9-1 record this season, the best in the country. Their top seed earns them a bye in the first round. They will face the winner of the Baylor (8) versus Fresno State (9) match-up in round two.
?We?â„¢re excited about being recognized as the top western team in the nation but we cannot let that affect us in a negative way by becoming too overconfident,? A&M horsemanship coach Beth Bass said. ?I do believe this is the strongest team we have ever taken to nationals but I also recognize that the other teams have gotten stronger as well.?
The A&M hunt seat team was awarded a No. 5 seed, its highest since the varsity equestrian organization has gone to this format for the national show. The hunt seat ladies have ridden their way to a 7-4 record this season and will face 12th-seeded SMU in the first round of the tournament.
?I?â„¢m pleased with our placement,? A&M English coach Linzy Woolf said. ?We had a slow start to the season but are finding a good rhythm now in this new format and feeling more and more confident with each show. There are many talented teams that we might potentially face, but I feel like our team is prepared to handle the tasks set in front of us.?
The Varsity Equestrian National Championships will be hosted by Baylor on April 18-20 at the Heart O?â„¢Texas Fair Complex in Waco.