For the second time in program history, No. 8 TCU and No. 3 Texas A&M will compete at the Stock Show Bowl with the same rankings as they did the first meeting in 2010.

Interim Western head coach Kindel Huffman said, “We love the rivalry we have created with Texas A&M and look forward to coming out on top with a win.”

The Horned Frogs have a 2-5 Western record , while the Aggies have a 7-1 record. The last time the two teams faced each other, TCU fell to Texas A&M at College Station 12-7 in the fall.

“We have the riding ability to beat A&M, but I have a lot of young riders,” Huffman said.

Senior Courtney Chown said she knows the team is young but tonight’s meet would be an opportunity.

“It’s a great way for us to really connect and get close, push each other and experience an intense atmosphere similar to what we will see at nationals,” she said.

The eight riders that will compete are Chown, freshman Samantha Bayer, sophomore Taylor Prince, junior Alexie Estrada, freshman Calli Rouse, freshman Alexi Child, junior Kolby Simonson and freshman Katie Gray.

“I choose which athletes to play based on practice leading up to the game,” Huffman said. “I like to see which ones I believe are riding good, getting along with all the horses and which ones are mentally strong to compete and win.”

There will be four horsemanship riders per team and four reining riders per team.

Simonson has a 5-2 record in reining and two MVP awards. Prince has won six out of seven matches in horsemanship along with a MVP award.

Being sharp and executing the patterns without penalties will help the Frogs win, Prince said.

Chown said, “Its going to be amazing to have so much support and so many fans there. It’s a great feeling to compete in the John Justin arena because many of us have competed at the world show there.”

Aggie junior Carey Nowacek is 8-0 with five MVP awards. Nowacek was awarded Big 12 Rider of the Month twice in the fall season.

Aggie sophomore Lindsey Bernbaum was awarded Reining Rider of the Month in November for the Big 12. Bernbaum has a 2-1 record.
“In our eyes, they are just another team,” Huffman said. “We don’t care about their rankings. We fight to win, and will give it our all.”