March 6, 2009
COLLEGE STATION - The Texas A&M equestrian team will be hosting its first-ever alumni reunion as part of its Saturday match against long-time Big 12 rival Oklahoma State.
The Aggies (6-3) will take on the Cowgirls (6-3) on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Brazos County Expo Complex with seeding for the first-ever Big 12 Championship in equestrian on the line.
A&M and Oklahoma State have a long, intertwined history of competition with each over the past 10 years each program has been a varsity sport.
During the IHSA years (1999-2006), Oklahoma State won four regional English titles while the Aggies won three. On the western side, A&M captured four regional titles to OSU's two. Several of those regional championships were often decided climatically on the last day and last rides of the regular season.
The Cowgirls were the first group to win a national IHSA team title as a varsity program, doing so in 2000, while the Aggies went on a three-year run from 2002-04. The two teams have also combined to win five of the seven Varsity Equestrian national championship titles in western riding.
The winner of Saturday's match will earn the No. 2 seed at the Big 12 Championship scheduled for Stillwater, Okla., on March 27-28. National No. 1 Baylor has already clinched the top seed.
The alumni weekend schedule of events begins Friday at 7:30 with cocktails at the Letterman's Lounge in G. Rollie White Coliseum. Dress is business casual and is a ticketed event open to all former riders and supporters.
Following Saturday's competition, there will be a dinner & dance at the Brazos County Expo Pavilion starting at 7 p.m. Chris Morris & the Hold-`Em-Up Band will provide the entertainment. Dress is casual and is a ticketed event open to all former riders and supporters.
Admission to Saturday's competition is free of charge. There will be a coloring station, facility tours, a barn-opening ceremony and the chance for kids to have their picture taken with a pony as well as other fun activities.
The Brazos County Expo Complex is located at 5827 Leonard Road in Bryan.