Oct. 21, 2004

By Jordan Meserole The Battalion

College Station, TX (U-WIRE) -- At N.W. Dick Freeman Arena, many banners hang from the rafters, serving as a reminder of the history of the Texas A&M equestrian team.

Three of the banners read "IHSA National Champions," marking the three consecutive championships the Aggies have won from 2001 to present. Starting this weekend, the western riders begin their quest to make space for a fourth banner, which would make A&M the first team in collegiate history to win four titles in a row.

The western squad of the A&M equestrian team kicks off its season Saturday with a set of shows against West Texas A&M in Canyon, Texas. And though the national championships are months away, A&M head coach Tana Rawson said the road to the nationals starts with the first show.

"Another championship would be nice, but it's one show at time," Rawson said. "As long as the girls ride the way they've been taught and been practicing, we'll be fine. Our ultimate goal is that trophy, but we have to focus on what's ahead of us first."

The Aggies and the Buffaloes kicked off the season in Canyon last year as well, splitting the two-show meet. West Texas A&M finished ahead of A&M in the first show by one point and in the second show, the Aggies redeemed themselves, finishing 12 points in front of the Buffaloes.

The Aggies will travel an experienced team, which returns all its starters except Ashley Shiffler, who graduated. Senior intermediate rider Claire Adian said the experience will greatly benefit the Aggies on Saturday.

"With so many girls returning, we all know our strengths and weaknesses and can help each other out a lot," Adian said. "And with all the new girls we've got coming in, it's going to be a really exciting season."

The Buffaloes return a fairly experienced team as well, losing only a handful of seniors and bringing back about 20 veterans. The team finished a narrow 36 points behind A&M for second place in the region, which isn't much at all considering the tough talent in the team's regions, said West Texas A&M head coach Rebekah Bachman.

"This region is tough - it has three national champions - but I wouldn't want to be anywhere else," Bachman said. "Strong competition only makes you better, makes you play on top on of your game at all times. You're going to have to get better or get beat."

West Texas A&M will have more than one champion to face Saturday: Senior open rider Katie Forest was the 2002 high-point rider and finished a close second in 2003. Forest said she feels confident and ready for Saturday's show and thinks the experience factor is going to weigh heavily in A&M's factor.

"They (West A&M) have a little home field advantage but they also have a lot of the same horses, so we know their horses a little by now," Forest said. "I think we'll be fine because Tana's been working so hard with us. She's focused, dedicated and pushing us hard."

Though the Buffaloes will have the reigning national champions on their turf, Bachman said it's nothing for her riders to be afraid of.

"I don't think it's intimidating as much as it is a challenge for our riders," Bachman said. "I don't think if we win it will be nah-nah-nah we beat them, but instead will be more like wow, we rode well enough to beat them."

(C) 2004 The Battalion via U-WIRE