Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Varsity Equestrian National Championships
Dogs open VENC with Win
4/15/2010 12:00:00 AM | Equestrian
April 15, 2010
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State's equestrian team had some strong performances on the first day of the Varsity Equestrian National Championships at the Heart O' Texas complex in Waco, Texas.
The Bulldog English team, seeded No. 8, opened the championships with a 5-3 win over WAC rival New Mexico State to advance to face No. 1 seed Georgia in the second round.
Fresno State won three of the four matches on the flat against the Aggies and the two schools split the equitation over fences matches.
Leading the way on the flat was sensational sophomore Kimberly Steinbuch, who scored a 154.0, Lauren Carr and Jessica Kissell.
Seniors Lisa Wells and Jennifer Jory each earned wins in fences. Wells, the nation's No. 7-ranked rider, will also compete for an individual national title in the event on Saturday.
Georgia upended Fresno State by a score of 6-2 in the second match of the day. Fresno State and Georgia split on the flat with Steinbuch and Carr picking up wins. Georgia swept all for matches in fences.
"Georgia was in fine form today," said head coach Dr. Becky Malmo. "I hate to say this but we just got out-rode in the fences. Georgia was much better today. We had some great rides on the flat. Lauren Carr was fabulous. She was really composed for a freshman. Kimmie Steinbuch was her usual wonderful self."
Fresno State's English team moves to the consolation bracket and will take on No. 12 TCU Friday at 3:30 p.m. PT. The Horned Frogs upset No. 5 Baylor in the first round by a score of 5-3 before losing to No. 4 Texas A&M 6-2 in the second round.
The Western squad, also seeded No. 8, lost to the hometown No. 9 Baylor 4-3 in the first round and was eliminated from the event. The Dogs and Bears split the four horsemanship matches, and the Bears won the reining competition 2-1.
Earning wins for the Dogs were freshman Sydney Coletti in reining and junior Madison Silver and sophomore Sammie Joe Stone in horsemanship. Stone finished the season with a record of 10-3, while Silver won eight matches and three MVP awards. Coletti finished a strong rookie season winning four of her final six matches on the season.
Senior captain Keri Blackledge earned a tie in her final college competition. Blackledge won seven matches this season with MVP awards.
"We were pleased to see Madison and Sammie win even thought they didn't have their best day," said Malmo. "It was a rough morning for the Western team. We had a couple tough draws with horses and just couldn't get it done, unfortunately."
Malmo praised the atmosphere of the event and the Fresno State fans and supporters who traveled to Waco for the event.
ENGLISH RESULTS
No. 8 Fresno State 5, No. 9 New Mexico State 3 (NMSU eliminated)
Equitation on the Flat
Fresno State 3, NMSU 1
Kimberly Steinbuch (154.0) defeated Brianna Raab (148.0)
Caitlin Marshall (144.0) lost to Marisa Bernal (153.0)
Lauren Carr (145.0) defeated Jennifer Friend (142.0)
Jessica Kissell (145.0) defeated Chelsae Keyes (142.0)
Equitation over Fences
Fresno State 2, NMSU 2
Jennifer Jory (149.0) defeated Chelsae Keyes (145.0)
Holly Elsbernd (143.0) lost to Laura Bostwick (158.0)
Lisa Wells (155) defeated Brianna Raab (0.0)
Chelsie Stone (155.0) lost to Marisa Bernal (156.0)
ENGLISH RESULTS
No. 1 Georgia 6, No. 8 Fresno State 2
Equitation on the Flat
Fresno State 2, Georgia 2
Kimberly Steinbuch (148.0) defeated Michelle Morris (143.0)
Lisa Beach (149.0) lost to Emma Lipman (166.0)
Lauren Carr (163.0) defeated Grace Rogers (150.0)
Jessica Kissell (145.0) lost to Carly Anthony (156.0)
Equitation over Fences
Fresno State 0, Georgia 4
Jennifer Jory (141.0) lost to Michelle Morris (158.0)
Jessica Kissell (160.0) lost to Emma Lipman (174.0)
Lisa Wells (152.0) lost to Kacy Jenkins (168.0)
Chelsie Stone (148.0) lost to Carly Anthony (161.0)
WESTERN RESULTS
No. 9 Baylor 4, No. 8 Fresno State 3 (Fresno State eliminated)
Western Horsemanship
Fresno State 2, Baylor 2
Madison Silver (140.0) defeated Lindsay Douglas (139.5)
Sammie Jo Stone (137.5) defeated Meghan Murphy (137.0)
Christa Beezley (132.5) lost to Lindsay Tomko (142.0)
Ally Warkentin (138.0) lost to Allison Orosz (145.0)
Reining
Fresno State 1, Baylor 2
Keri Blackledge (137.5) tied Lindsay Tomko (137.5)
Jill Tebbe (132.0) lost to Katie Buss (134.0)
Sydney Coletti (136.0) defeated Madelyn Mooney (134.5)
Shawna McClurg (87.0) lost to Amber Mooney (109.5)
"We are Your Team!" -Fresno State is competing at the Varsity Equestrian National Championships in Waco, Texas April 15-17.
