Fresno State edges Delaware State 8-7

Friday, October 7

Felton, Del. / Dovington Training Center

10 a.m. PT

Fresno State

Delaware State

Fresno State edges Delaware State 8-7

10/8/2016 9:34:00 AM | Equestrian

The Fresno State equestrian team returns home after earning all eight MOPs this weekend

By: Jason Kelm / Communications Assistant

FELTON, Del. – The No. 9 Fresno State equestrian team returns home after defeating Delaware State 8-7 on Saturday morning at the Dovington Training Center in Felton, Del., a day after upsetting No. 1 Auburn 11-5. The Bulldogs earned all eight Most Outstanding Player selections this weekend.

"I am very proud of the way we performed," Fresno State head coach Eric Hubbard said. "We always have things we can take away and improve on, but we're very happy to have two wins on the road. We will continue to work on our focus and improve the little things that make huge differences for us in the arena."

The 'Dogs (4-1) began competition against the Hornets (0-2) on Friday afternoon with Reining and Equitation on the Flat. In the Reining event, the teams came out even 2-2, with senior Taylor Brown and freshman Shea Gilson earning points for Fresno State.

Delaware State rode well in Equitation on the Flat, owning a 3-1 advantage in the event, with the Bulldogs' lone point coming from freshman Natalie Wendt. The Hornets would finish on Friday with a 5-3 lead.

On Saturday morning, the 'Dogs saw strong performances in Equitation Over Fences, with sophomore Alexandra Dirickson, freshman Maddy Keck and Wendt each scoring to bring the meet even again at 6-6.

Going into the final event of the competition, Horsemanship, both Delaware State and Fresno State earned points, with junior Rachel Williams scoring a 75.5 to keep it close.

The Bulldogs then looked to their decorated senior, Brown, for her best Horsemanship performance of the season with a 76-74 win to put the 'Dogs ahead and give them their second victory of the weekend.

Brown and Wendt each earned two Most Outstanding Player accolades in the competition. Brown is now 10-0 this season and has nine MOP honors.

Fresno State's first home competition will be Oct. 21 at 11 a.m. PT against No. 4 TCU (1-1) at the Student Horse Center. The meet will air live and for free on the Mountain West Network.

Results against Delaware State:
Equitation on the Flat
Caoline Schock (63) defeated Sierra Swaffar (62) – DSU
Molly Gara (62) defeated Kylina Chalack (0) – DSU
Natalie Wendt (65) defeated Vanessa Rabito (59) – FS
Hayley Anderson (77) defeated Alexandra Dirickson (74) – DSU

Equitation Over Fences
Alexandra Dirickson (80) defeated Rachel Dantely (68) – FS
Hayley Anderson (78) defeated Kylina Chalack (69) – DSU
Natalie Wendt (76) defeated Emily Nelson (73) – FS
Maddy Keck (71) defeated Alex Gill (70) – FS

Horsemanship
Rachel Williams (75.5) defeated Emily Fink (73) – FS
Taeya Harle (71) tied Agelina Watts (71) – none
Blayne Bell (73.5) defeated Taylor Dixon (73) – DSU
Taylor Brown (76) defeated Abigail Bckwalter – FS

Reining
Shea Gilson (68) defeated Cheyenne Adams (67) – FS
Taylor Brown (70.5) defeated Madison Sullivan (69) – FS
Elizabeth Koons (67.5) defeated Kara Gustafson (63.5) – DSU
Aubrey Braham (67) defeated Alysa Frias (66) – DSU

Most Outstanding Players
Natalie Wendt – Equitation on the Flat
Natalie Wendt – Equitation Over Fences
Taylor Brown – Horsemanship
Taylor Brown – Reining

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