Baylor equestrian had two Bears earn honors as sophomore Rachael Davis was named Big 12 Equitation on the Flat Rider of the Month while senior Abbi Demel was tabbed Big 12 Horsemanship Rider of the Month, announced by the conference office Thursday afternoon
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Both Bears earn their first career monthly honors and become the first Baylor duo since Paige Parker and Alicia Gasser in 2016 to earn awards in the same week.
“We are thrilled that Abbi Demel and Rachael Davis have earned Big 12 Riders of the Month,” head coach Casie Maxwell said. “These athletes have worked hard and put down extremely good rides this year in their respective events every time they enter the arena. We know they still have more to offer and we look forward to seeing what else they can accomplish this season.”
The reining Big 12 Equitation on the Flat Rider of the Year, Davis is a perfect 5-0 on the season and has earned two MOP honors to help the Bears to a 4-1 record.
In Big 12 action, she had the highest score of all flat competitors at then-No. 7 Oklahoma State, defeating her opponent 83-76 and earning MOP honors. Davis also had the highest score of all competitors against then-No. 5 TCU, defeating her opponent 91-86.
Already named the NCEA Rider of the Month earlier this season, Demel is 5-0 in horsemanship with two MOP recognitions.
In Big 12 contests, Demel defeated Oklahoma State’s Sarah Miller, 73.5-71.5. Against TCU, she defeated her opponent, 75-72, to help BU clinch its first conference win of the 2018-19 campaign.
Since 2012, BU riders have now been honored 26 times. Baylor's last conference monthly award winner was Gabby Conte on March 29, 2018 for equitation over fences.
Baylor heads west to compete at the Fresno State Invitational in a battle of top-10 teams. BU faces No. 5 South Carolina on Friday and then plays 10th-ranked Fresno State Saturday at the Student Horse Center.
