The Baylor equestrian team took home its first Big 12 championship since 2010 with an 11-8 win over Kansas State in the finals Saturday at Turning Point Ranch in Springtown.

Baylor fell 3-2 in fences, but tied in the reining event to trail just 5-4 at the halfway point. But, the Bears took a convincing 4-1 win in flat to take an 8-6 lead.

With horsemanship remaining, Baylor needed two points for the win, and the Bears’ Mary Brown and Charlotte Green took the first two points to seal the title before going on to a 3-2 win in the event.
 
Baylor head coach Ellen White was named co-Coach of the Year with KSU’s Casie Maxwell while the Bears’ senior Sam Schaefer earned Big 12 Fences Rider of the Year.

“It is really nice to go in as No. 1 and then come out as No. 1, and be validated like that," White said. "It lets us know that we really are that good. I feel like this morning on fences, we had a few girls freeze up and choke under the pressure, but we turned around and calmed down and made it happen this afternoon. Everyone did well and we’re excited and ready for the national championship.”

BIG 12 CONFERENCE MEET AND POSTSEASON AWARDS
Here are All-Big 12 teams/MOPs/Riders & Coach of the Year:

Most Outstanding Performers (BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIPS)
Equitation over Fences: Samantha Schaefer, Baylor, Sr.
Equitation on the Flat: Kaitlin Perry, TCU, Sr.
Horsemanship: Mary Brown, Baylor, Jr.
Reining: Ginger Chant, Baylor, So.