Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Georgia/New Mexico State
Riding Strong
2/7/2009 12:00:00 AM | Equestrian
Feb. 7, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - A busy day the Student Horse Center has No. 8 Fresno State trailing No. 10 New Mexico State by two points with one event remaining.
The three-team triple dual event meet began shortly after 9 a.m. Saturday morning and concluded nearly nine hours later. The Bulldogs and Aggies are locked up in a tough match through the Reining, Horsemanship and Equitation on the Flat events.
The Dogs and Aggies split in horsemanship and equitation on the flat, each team winning two matches. The Aggies won three of four matches in reining to take three team points and hold a 7-5 lead with one event left.
Standout junior Keri Blackledge got Fresno State's lone win in reining with a 71. Jill Tebbe had a strong ride of 70.5, but lost to Tonna Brooks, who gave an MVP performance with a 74.5. Elizabeth Thomasian dropped a match to Ashley Dietz, 70 to 67.5.
The Bulldog's Western Horsemanship group also had some strong rides, led by Adriane Smith and Kelsi Fischer, each winning their matches with scores of 74.5 and 72.5, respectively. Allison Warkentin had a 73.5 but lost her match to Kate Chesley and
Rebecca Flood's opponent, Codi Binkerd, had an MVP performance of 73.5.
The highlight of the day for the Dogs was turned in by freshman Kimberly Steinbuch, whose 86.5 in Equitation on the Flat earned her MVP honors. It was the highest score for her this season. Kimberly Hewson Budnik rode to a 63 and won her match. Caitlin Marshall had a 72 but lost her match by one point to Krystal Doganay.
The Equitation over Fences event will be held Sunday morning when the meets resume. The Bulldogs, led by Jennifer Jory, Katie Nenneker, Cambria Kissell and Lisa Wells have been strong in fences events all season long. Four team points are at stake in that event.
Fresno State will also take on defending national champion Georgia in all four disciplines on Sunday.
Georgia holds an 8-4 lead over New Mexico State in their dual match, winning all four matches in Equitation on the Flat and each team winning two matches in Equitation over Fences and Reining. They will conclude their horsemanship match on Sunday.
The weather cooperated for the events, as partly cloudy skies prevailed. The Valley received a rain storm late in the week that left both rings drenched and full of puddles. The coaches and student-athletes took great care not to push the horses beyond safe zones for competition.
Similar weather conditions are expected Sunday.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" -The Dogs will conclude their meet against New Mexico State and Georgia on Sunday, Feb. 8, at 9 a.m. at the Student Horse Center. Admission is free.
Players Mentioned
