Fresno State Athletics
'Dogs Head to Texas for Willis Invitational
9/24/2014 12:00:00 AM | Equestrian
By Jillian Bertolucci
jillbertolucci@gmail.com
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif.--The Fresno State equestrian team opens its season on the road this Friday and Saturday at the Willis Invitational against No. 6 Baylor University, No. 10 Southern Methodist University and University of Tennessee-Martin in Waco, Texas.
The invitational begins on Friday, as the Bulldogs take on SMU. After, the `Dogs will compete against tournament-host Baylor on the flat and in reining. The second half of this match up will culminate on Saturday with fences and horsemanship. After, Fresno State will play UTM.
"I am looking forward to a really focused and strong competition because of how hard we have been working," interim head coach Eric Hubbard said. "We will be riding very competitively against strong competition."
The `Dogs look forward to challenging Baylor again after their upset against the then-No. 2 team at home last season.
"The girls are excited after last year," Hubbard said. "They know Baylor will be well prepared and ready to put up a fight, especially on its home turf, but we are confident because we know we have the ability to beat them."
Hubbard said the team's practices have been very strong, but they are working toward riding with consistency.
"Through all the patterns and tests we have to go through to compete, we just need to consistently make sure every part is strong," he said.
Almost half of the team is new after Hubbard added thirteen riders to the 30-person roster.
"I am so proud of the new girls," he said. "They have jumped in and have been working very hard and focused. They bring a lot of fire to the team."
After the Willis Invitational, the team heads to New Mexico to take on New Mexico State and have a rematch against UTM. You can then catch the `Dogs on their home dirt in November against University of South Carolina.
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