Fresno State Athletics
Blue Defeats Red in Equestrian Scrimmage
9/6/2014 12:00:00 AM | Equestrian
By Jillian Bertolucci
jillbertolucci@gmail.com
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif.--The Fresno State equestrian team kicked off its 2014-15 season today with a Red and Blue scrimmage. The Blue Team defeated the Red Team, 9-8.
"Overall we rode really strong, especially because we have so many newcomers," head coach Eric Hubbard said. "With a short practice week, this set them up for the experience of our format."
The Blue Team defeated the Red Team over fences, 3-2. Freshman Sierra Swaffer earned a 76, taking the point for the Red Team from freshman Genna Fogelberg. Senior Amanda Postel earned an 81 and the point for the Red Team against senior Kara Spicer's score of 71. Senior newcomer Randi Pomrehn earned an 82 for the Blue Team, taking the point from freshman Paige Pastorino. While freshman Kylina Chalack earned an 84 for the Blue Team, sophomore Kelsey Fraser topped her score with a match-high 85 for the Red Team. Fraser was received Most Outstanding Player for the fences event. Another senior transfer, Gianna Armanino, earned an 80 for the Blue Team, defeating sophomore Lauren Kovanda's score of 73.
"Kelsey was very impressive today, and is building off her success last year," Hubbard said.
On the flat, Postel defeated Pomrehn, 80-65, taking the point for the Red Team. Chalack earned a 64.5, taking the point for the Blue Team over Pastorino's score of 44. Fogelberg took the point for the Blue Team with 59.5 over Kovanda's 47. Spicer earned an 80.5 to take the point for the Blue Team over Swaffer's 70.5. Spicer earned Most Outstanding Player for this ride.
"Kara Spicer getting MVP on the flat is very impressive," Hubbard said. "She has been working really hard throughout this last year."
The teams tied in the Western Category. In the horsemanship event, Sophomore Maddy Robinson took the point for the Red Team with a score of 71.5 over junior Morgan Foster's 69.5 Freshman Rachel Williams, however, took the point for the Blue Team with her 69.5 over senior Brynn Boyett's score of 68. Senior Kirsten McKillop took another point for the Blue Team with a 73.5, defeating freshman Taylor Dixon's score of 70.5 Sophomore Taylor Brown took the last point for the Red Team in this event with a 74 over senior Linne Beason. Brown earned Most Outstanding Player for horsemanship
"Taylor pushed the envelop today, and it proved to be very effective," he said.
In Reining, Brown barely took the point for the Red Team with a score of 72.5 over McKillop's score of 72. Senior Brigid O'Leary earned a 63, and defeated freshman Hailey Robison's score of 61.5, taking the point for the Red Team. In another close head-to-head, sophomore Calle Hinkle took the point for the Blue Team with a 67.5 over freshman Aly Frias' score of 67. Senior Ciara Kozlowski broke the tie with her score of 74 over Dixon's 66, taking the win for the Blue Team. Kozlowski earned Most Outstanding Player.
"Ciara rode strong today, and her leadership on and off the field is really showing," Hubbard said.
The `Dogs hit the road for their official season opener to Waco, Texas on Sept. 26-27 to take on Baylor, University of Tennessee-Martin and Southern Methodist University.
"We are now working on mentally preparing for traveling. Traveling in our competition is very tough," Hubbard said. "Our riding is on point, we just have to go into the invitational very focused."
You can catch them on their home dirt on Nov. 7 against University of South Carolina.
"Be Bold"- The official home of the Fresno State Bulldogs is 940 AM ESPN Radio and ESPN Deportes 1600 AM.
