TCU Equestrian came off one of their best seasons to date, with only three losses in the 2023-24 season. But the Frogs have had a rough start this year, already losing three matches before the spring season begins.

The Frogs are 5-3, a stark difference from last year’s fall record of 6-0. The team lost their key seniors, including Giorgia Meadows and TCU Athlete of the Year Nominee Mattie Dukes. Their roster now only has nine seniors remaining, alongside 17 first-years and sophomores.

Recent matches have been particularly challenging. TCU fell 15-4 at SMU and 12-8 at Texas A&M. Compare that to earlier this season when TCU beat SMU with a raw score of 1599.75-1548.50 and last season when TCU beat Texas A&M in the second round of the NCEA National Championship 11-9.

The Frogs’ biggest fall-off is in the Western arena. Last year’s fall season had the Frogs outscoring their opponents 44-13 in Reining and Horsemanship, with multiple sweeps in each event. This fall, the Frogs are barely scraping by with a 39-38 record.

The hardships continue in the Jumping arena, where the Frogs have been outscored 44-34. Last fall, they were 27-27. However, bright spots include a 5-0 sweep against Fresno State in Flat and a 4-1 victory over Oklahoma State in Fences.

Some underclassmen to keep an eye on are first-year Maggie Dumrauf and sophomore Lilly Goldstein. Dumrauf is the most active first-year, having competed in seven matches and boasting a high in Fences of 84.5. Goldstein has also competed in both Fences and Flat, achieving an impressive high of 93 in Flat last season.

The Frogs’ first match in the spring season is scheduled for Jan. 30 at John Justin Arena during the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, facing the 2-2 South Dakota State Jackrabbits.

With the rocky start this season, only time will tell if the newcomers can handle the reins the seniors left behind.