Sports

Equestrian: No.8 Bulldogs Face No.10 Jackrabbits in First Road Competition

BROOKINGS, S.D. - The No. 8 Fresno State equestrian team is back in action on Saturday, Oct. 21 after three weeks without a single contest. The 'Dogs moved up to the No. 8 slot in this week's NCEA Coaches' Poll. The Bulldogs are set to travel to South Dakota State to face the No.10 Jackrabbits for the second time this season. The first ride is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. PT.

"We are excited for our first road trip." said head coach Eric Hubbard. "This group is ready to take on South Dakota State on their turf. We haven't been there in a few years so we have really focused on our mental game as well as our riding."

Last Time- The programs last met on Sept. 23 at the Student Horse Center where Fresno State topped South Dakota State, 17-2, in a record-breaking competition. The Bulldogs' 17 points and 15-point margin of victory were the highest earned since facing UC Davis in 2010.

The pair of points for the Jackrabbits were earned in the equitation over fences and the reining events by junior Jacey Chorlton and senior Mariah Wright.

Fresno State owns an 8-2 all-time advantage against South Dakota State.

Scouting the Jackrabbits- South Dakota State is currently 1-2 this season, 1-0 at home. Its two losses came from Texas A&M, 12-4, and Fresno State, 17-2.

The Jackrabbits most recently defeated No. 8 South Carolina, 15-4, at home on Oct. 13. This is the first time in program history that the Jacks have defeated the Gamecocks.

With that victory, SDSU moved into the rankings as the No. 10 team, as announced by the NCEA on Tuesday morning.

Quick look at the Bulldogs - No.8 Fresno State is 1-2 this season, with its two losses being from No. 1 Texas A&M and No. 2 Georgia.

The Bulldogs are coming off of a tight 10-8 loss against UGA on Sept. 29 at the Student Horse Center. Fresno State and Georgia were tied at the afternoon intermission. Georgia secured the win in the final ride of the afternoon when horsemanship rider, Bailey Anderson, outscored Fresno State's Julia Kelly with an impressive 80.5 ride.

New coach on board - Fresno State equestrian head coach Eric Hubbard announced the addition of Mary Brown to the Bulldogs coaching staff on Oct. 2.

"We are very excited to have Mary Brown joining our coaching staff," said Hubbard. "She had a very successful riding career in the industry as well as in the NCEA. All the experience she brings with her will benefit our team greatly," added Hubbard.

Oct. 17 NCEA Rankings