The SMU equestrian team just fell short to Oklahoma State at the Varsity Equestrian National Championship. The Mustangs took the Cowboys to a tiebreaker after tying the score at 4-4, only to lose in raw score by 40 points.

“I was very proud of the way we competed,” head coach Haley Schoolfield said in an interview with smumustangs.com. “We did very well for being one of the only schools here without horses and having to battle facility issues the second half of the season. I think we have a lot to build on for next year.”

The Mustangs gave their very best and it showed; their performance was the best showing in school history at this competition.

Sophomore Mallory Olson had the best overall score for SMU, posting a 162 in Equitation over Fences. Had her score stood, the Mustangs would have taken a 3-1 lead in the competition. However, Oklahoma State refused to back down and Ally Blais had a near flawless run to defeat Olson, 167-162, and tie the competition.

The Cowboys took the next two points, and SMU had its back against the wall. However, Danielle Gersh and Claire Wenholz stepped up for SMU, claiming the last two points to force a tiebreaker. However, in terms of raw score, the Cowboys edged the Mustangs and claimed the victory.

This showing at the national championships marks the sixth time in seven years that the Mustangs have qualified to participate.