Baylor University Equestrian

Casie Maxwell enters her ninth season as head coach at Baylor and her 16th season as a collegiate equestrian head coach in 2025-26. Maxwell, who was selected to lead the program in July 2017, finished the 2024-25 season with a career record of 94-126, after previously going 51-60 at Kansas State over seven seasons and posting a 43-66 mark in eight campaigns at Baylor. In addition to serving as a figurehead for Baylor Equestrian, Maxwell specializes in the Reining event of the Western discipline, while assistant coaches also work with the program. The Bears had another great year of growth under Maxwell, earning a dominant Senior Day win versus a top-three opponent in TCU, the most NCEA All-Academic team athletes since 2021, and multiple Big 12 and NCEA monthly awards. Madison Mitchell earned February Big 12 Fences Rider of the Month after earning both NCEA and Big 12 awards for December.

Baylor equestrian head coach Casie Maxwell announced the return of Cindy Walquist on August 1, 2025, adding to the coaching staff ahead of the 2025-26 season. The 40-year Western trainer and coaching veteran held that position at Baylor from 2010-18, and is excited to be back at BU. "I feel blessed and excited to be returning to Baylor University on the coaching staff of the Equestrian team," she said. "Baylor has high educational standards with great Christian roots. I look forward to working with these talented young athletes." Entering her ninth season, Maxwell is excited to bring a coach of Walquist's caliber back to the staff. "I am thrilled to welcome Coach Walquist back to Baylor," Maxwell said. "She is a tremendous coach, both in and out of the arena, who will help elevate this entire program. Aside from coaching, Cindy is a wonderful person who will pour into our student-athletes through all aspects of their experience at Baylor. We can't wait to get started."

Grace Boston enters her second season as an Assistant Jumping Seat coach for the Bears after joining BU in July 2024. In the 2024-25 campaign, Boston and her Jumping Seat athletes had a 7-4 record in Fences, dominating Minnesota-Crookston 4-1 and going on a six-meet win streak to finish the season. BU notably had a 3-2 Fences win over No. 2 TCU to help Baylor defeat the Horned Frogs on Senior Day. Under her leadership, the team also had a great season in Flat, going 6-4-1. Lauren Reid ultimately earned a spot on the All-Big 12 Flat Team, Madi Mitchell earned monthly Flat awards for both the NCEA and Big 12, and her Jumping Seat Bears earning a combined nine MOPs in both events. In addition, Boston designed the Fences courses throughout the home season. A four-year starter for Texas A&M, Boston is poised to begin a coaching journey following a decorated career for the Aggies. A native of Lutherville, Md., Boston was named All-Southeastern Conference in Fences from 2018-20 and was named

Leah Ely serves Baylor athletics as the director of operations for the Equestrian program. She joined the Bears in July of 2024. Ely joins the Baylor staff after serving as an assistant coach at The University of Findlay (Ohio) for the last three seasons, where she also serves as the Animal Sciences Student Success Coordinator since May of 2023. She has also served as an assistant coach with KM Equestrian IEA, a team that won the national championships at the middle school level. Ely owns a bachelor's from The University of Findlay, with focuses on animal science, equestrian studies, and equine business management. She earned her degree in 2019 and went on to secure her MBA in 2022, also from Findlay. She is a two-time reserve national champion in the Western IHSA.

Baylor equestrian head coach Casie Maxwell announced on August 25 that former Bear Megan Wood will serve as the program's Assistant Jumping Seat Coach, rounding out the coaching staff ahead of the 2025-26 season. The Loomis, Calif., native was a manager for the green and gold from 2017-2019 and joined the team as a student-athlete from 2019-2021, and is thrilled to be back at Baylor. In her time as a Bear, Wood was selected to the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll selection and was named a SACE Academic Champion in the 2019-20 season. After her time at Baylor, Wood began her career as an Assistant Trainer at JH Sporthorses in Northern California, which sparked her love for coaching and mentorship. She then returned to Waco and has served as a lesson instructor at McLennan Community College.