Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs Fall To Two-time NCAA Champion Georgia
3/12/2005 12:00:00 AM | Equestrian
March 12, 2005
FRESNO, Calif. - Coming off a win over traditional power South Carolina Friday at the Fresno State Horse Center, the Bulldog Equestrian squad hosted two-time defending NCAA champion Georgia Saturday. Georgia defeated Fresno State 900.98 to 801.48 in the head to head show.
Georgia used its experience in the Equitation over Fences event, outscoring Fresno State 282.0 to 180.5. Kelly Bonan from Georgia won the show with a score of 80 points. Tasha Lodwig placed second with a 75. Anne Schroeder (68.5) and Amy Simmons (37.0) also competed for the Bulldogs.
Beth Knapp led Fresno State to a win over Georgia 190-.5 to 190.0 in Western Horsemanship, one of the strongest events for the Bulldogs all season. Knapp scored 50 points, followed by Bulldogs Kayla Merritt (49.5), Brenna Burris (47.0) and Sara Barnes (44.0).
Geogia won the Equitation (315.5-283.95) over Flat and Reining (211.47-146.53) to wrap-up the competition. Simmons placed second in Flat with an 81.2, followed by Morgan McDonald (78.0), Schroeder (65.5) and Leyla Mundy (59.78). Burris was the top Bulldog scorer in Reining with 54.55, followed by Knapp (50.51) and Jodie Stabbe (41.07).
"Georgia is really a strong team," said assistant coach Trista Armstrong. "They have been competing with the NCAA format for three years and this was just our third show using it. They were more experienced."
Fresno State host the IHSA Region 8 Championships beginning at 9 a.m. Sunday at the Fresno State Horse Center. The Bulldog will host the other eight school from the region in the final home show of the 2004-05 season. Riders from the regional finals can qualify for the IHSA Zone Championships in Eugene, Ore., next month.
