OCALA, Florida — A magical season for the UC Davis equestrian team came to an end Thursday morning at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida, where the No. 8 Aggies fell, 14-4, to the top-seed TCU Horned Frogs. The Aggies wrapped up the 2023-24 campaign with their second straight ECAC title, their first ever National Championship berth and the highest national ranking in program history.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Aggies fell behind early after TCU picked up four points in Fences competition to start the morning's events. Carly Sweeney tied NCEA First Team All-American Ashleigh Scully at 73 to prevent the five-point sweep. 

Macey Newkirk picked up the Aggies' first point of the meet in Reining competition. Newkirk, an NCEA Second Team All-American, bested Jessica McAllister with a score of 69.5. Lauren Langbaum and Kendal Scheiner were defeated by less than a point each. 

Trailing TCU at the halfway point, 8-1, the Aggies began to turn things around on the Flat, winning the first three points to lessen the deficit. Sierra Gundersen scored a 67.67 to win her point, while Lauren Kolbe scored a 73.67 to defeat NCEA All-American Ella Bostwick. Carly Sweeney rode to a discipline best score of 79, defeating Scully and earning the Flat MOP.

The Horned Frogs solidified their victory in Horsemanship earning four of the five available points. Kendall Lance tied All-American Payton Boutelle at 72.5 to prevent the outright sweep.

NOTABLE
This was the last competition for the UC Davis equestrian Class of 2024. Amber Nusser, Tasia Anstead, Gundersen, Langbaum, Newkirk, Scheiner and Sweeney all rode for the final time as an Aggie.