Fresno State Athletics
Dogs Ready for Exciting Season
8/21/2009 12:00:00 AM | Equestrian
Aug. 21, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - Head coach Becky Malmo doesn't shy away from tough competition, and by looking at the schedule for the Bulldog equestrian team, her squad will again be challenged. Highlighting the schedules are dates with two-time defending national champion Georgia and a trip to Texas A&M, the national runner-up in 2009.
The Dogs open the season in a little over a month when they host New Mexico State in what has become a great rivalry.
Although the Western Athletic Conference doesn't sponsor a championship in the sport of equestrian, both New Mexico State and Fresno State, the only two schools who sponsor the sport, have made this a tremendous rivalry.
The two teams will compete in home-and-home series this year, with the Aggies coming to Fresno State on Sept. 26 and the Dogs competing in Las Cruces, N.M. on Feb. 27.
"I'm very excited about the upcoming season," said Malmo. "We have continued to improve the caliber of the team, and this recruiting class is no exception. That, coupled with our outstanding returners, will make for a very competitive roster. We also have strong leadership in our captains; Lisa Wells, Jen Jory, Adriane Smith, Keri Blackledge and Jill Tebbe. I like that we start out at home against New Mexico State. They are always a worthy rival, so we have a tough school right out of the gate."
The Dogs have five of their eight regular season events in the fall semester, but only one of those will be at home.
Fresno State has road trips to Texas in October, facing TCU and Texas A&M, which finished second at last year's VENC championship, and to the Southeast in November, taking on defending national champion Georgia and perennial national power South Carolina.
The Dogs open the spring semester hosting the annual Best in the West Invitational Feb. 20-21. This year, the Dogs welcome TCU, Sacred Heart and Tennessee-Martin.
After a trip to New Mexico State, the Dogs will close the regular season hosting Kansas State and Auburn March 13-14 at the Student Horse Center.
Once again, the Varsity Equestrian National Championships will be hosted by Baylor University in Waco, Texas, April 15-18, 2010.
Malmo also has the flexibility to add three more competition dates to the schedule this season.
2009-10 Fresno State Equestrian Schedule
Sept. 26, New Mexico State (Student Horse Center)
Oct. 10, at TCU
Oct. 11, at Texas A&M
Nov. 6, at Georgia
Nov. 7, at South Carolina
Feb. 20-21, Best in the West Invitational (Student Horse Center)
(TCU, Sacred Heart, UT-Martin)
Feb. 27, at New Mexico State
March 13-14, Kansas State & Auburn (Student Horse Center)
April 15-18, at Varsity Equestrian National Championships (Waco, Texas)
This is Your Team The Bulldogs open the 2009-10 home schedule against WAC rival New Mexico State on Sept. 26 at the Student Horse Center. Admission is free.
Players Mentioned
