Fresno State Athletics
Dogs Host SMU Saturday
10/25/2007 12:00:00 AM | Equestrian
Oct. 25, 2007
FRESNO, Calif. - The Dogs have been waiting for this. Fresno State's equestrian team will finally get to host a home event on Saturday when the SMU Mustangs come to the Student Horse Center. The Dogs and Mustangs will compete in an all-English event. SMU does not sponsor a western program. Fresno State's Student Horse Center is on campus, located on the corner of Barstow and Woodrow. The event begins at 9 a.m. and admission is free.
This will be the only home event for the Dogs this semester, and head coach Becky Malmo and her team have been working hard to prepare for this event. Since SMU does not sponsor a western team, Fresno State's western squad will hold an intra-squad scrimmage after the SMU dual. Fans are invited to stay and get a sneak peek of the western team in competition format.
About the Mustangs
SMU is one of the newest intercollegiate programs offering the sport of Equestrian. The Mustangs, however, only offer an English squad. SMU placed ninth at the 2007 VEC Championships, two spots behind the Bulldogs. The Mustangs are coached by Ashley Schaeffer, who has been on the job for barely a month. SMU is coming of a 909-675 loss to Georgia on Oct. 13, its only event so far this fall.
Against the Mustangs
Fresno State's Equestrian team traveled into the heart of Texas on Feb. 4, 2007 to take on the SMU Mustangs and came away with a 9-3 victory over the Mustangs in an all-English event. The Dogs were led by Cambria Kissell, who was named the Most Outstanding Rider in the Equitation of the Fences, and Lisa Well, who claimed the top rider in Equitation over the Flat against the Mustangs. Fresno State won nine of the 12 matches in an all-English show held at Fieldstone Park in Mansfield, Texas.
Opener Recap
While the final outcome wasn't what head coach Becky Malmo was hoping for, the always optimistic Bulldog Equestrian coach found some things to be proud of in Fresno State's first competition of the season. The Dogs opened the 2007-08 season at WAC rival New Mexico State, losing to the Aggies 13-7. "I'm pleased with the performance of freshmen, Adrianne Smith and Tarynn Shada," said Malmo after the meet. "Kirsten Sohns and Katie Nenneker came through, as well as did Sara Barnes and Keri Blackledge. We saw improvement in several riders, and though we would have liked a different outcome, strides were made by several women. We look forward to hosting the Aggies next March when they and Auburn visit Fresno." Smith, coming off an injury suffered two weeks ago, was selected the MVP in Horsemanship, while Shada won her point. Both were competing in their first collegiate events. Sohns tied for the high score in English Equitation on the Flat with a 77 and Nenneker was selected the MVP in Equitation over Fences.
Malmo Moment
Quotes from head coach Becky Malmo, who is in her fourth year as Fresno State's head coach: About this week: "Competing against SMU will be a great test for our English team. They have some excellent riders. We are looking forward to having a home competition and wrapping up our fall in a great way. The ladies are working very hard and doing what it takes to get better. We are anxious to compete in front of our fans, friends and family."
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