Fresno State Athletics
Equestrian prepares for doubleheader
2/24/2016 12:00:00 AM | Equestrian
By: Kimberly Fisher
kimfisher@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
Friday, Feb. 26
No. 8 Fresno State (3-5) vs. No. 2 Georgia (7-2)
Location: Athens, Ga (UGA Equestrian Complex.)
Live Scoring: GeorgiaDogs.com
Social Media: Twitter @FresnoStateEq (Live Updates)
Saturday, Feb. 27
No. 8 Fresno State (3-5) vs. No. 10 Kansas (3-4)
Location: Athens, Ga. (UGA Equestrian Complex.)
Social Media: Twitter @FresnoStateEq (Live Updates)
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State equestrian team travels to the "Peach State" to face Georgia and Kansas State starting Friday, Feb. 26. The two-day competition will take place at the UGA Equestrian Complex in Athens, Ga.
Fresno State approaches competition ranked No. 8 in the most recent National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) Coaches Poll as Georgia is positioned second and Kansas State came in at No. 10. The Bulldogs look to improve their record as they currently sit at 3-5 (3-2 UEC) on the season.
"After our last road trip we came home and put some emphasis on areas that proved to be weak," head coach Eric Hubbard Said. "Our practices changed as well as our mind set. We have worked through a few things that will be implemented to help us be successful. We know Georgia will be very strong at home and never want to leave K-State out of the mix, but we are feeling more focused than ever going into this weekend. We had some obstacles keeping us from getting over the top and winning some important matchups, but we're looking to bring home two wins this weekend that would place us higher in the national standings."
The ‘Dogs enter Friday's meet with a 0-10 record against the second-ranked Georgia Bulldogs and are 1-3 all-time against No. 10 Kansas State.
Assistant Western coach McKenzie Lantz hails from Georgia as a 2014 graduate and standout equestrian student-athlete. The two-time NCEA All-American and Southeastern Conference (SEC) Rider of the Year was honored nationally as the NCEA Rider of the Year prior to serving as a volunteer temporary coach to her alma mater just a year ago.
"Coach Lantz knows the Georgia program well," Hubbard said. "We will be looking for her guidance in the Western arena."
As a Western rider herself, Lantz has guided junior Taylor Brown (Reining) and sophomore Taylor Dixon (Horsemanship) to weekly league honors and helped Brown to a NCEA Rider of the Month accolade since her arrival in early Sept.
"I am really excited to head to Athens with this group of student-athletes," Lantz said. "The entire team has been working extra hard to prepare for this weekend, as they know UGA is always tough competition, especially on their home turf. Having rode at UGA for five years, our focus leading up to this competition has been extremely specific on individual horses and maneuvers."
UP AGAINST GEORGIA
The two teams have previously met this year in Dover, Del., when Georgia defeated the Bulldogs 12-8 during opening weekend. During that event, Fresno State kept the pressure on the then-ranked No. 1 national leader, taking two events – Horsemanship and Reining – while barley missing in Equitation on the Flat (3-2) and pacing UGA by two points heading into the final event.
Last season the ‘Dogs fell 14-6 at home against Georgia, and the squad looks to collect its first road victory this weekend after suffering seven losses as the visiting team since 2008.
Both of Georgia's record blemishes are credited to No. 1 Auburn both on the road (11-8) as well as at home (12-8). The Tigers moved up a peg into the No. 1 spot in the NCEA National Rankings as of Nov. 17, 2015, for the first time since 2013.
FACING K-STATE
Fresno State topped Kansas State 12-8 during the last meeting at home on Nov. 21, 2014. In that same weekend, the ‘Dogs pulled off a double upset against the then-ranked No. 4 Wildcats and No. 6 Auburn (9-8) during the home tri-meet. The Bulldogs are 0-2 while facing tenth-ranked Kansas State on the road as both matchups came between the 2007 and 2008 seasons.
Following two opening-season wins, K-State faced their first deficit in a raw score decision to No. 4 Baylor and have since fell to three nationally ranked opponents, including top five programs - No. 3 Texas A&M (14-0) and No. 5 Oklahoma State (11-6).
ON THE HORIZON
Looking ahead, Fresno State concludes regular season United Equestrian Conference (UEC) competition on March 19 as they host a doubleheader with UEC foe South Dakota State, and No. 4 Baylor.
"We host Baylor and South Dakota State in a few weeks and want to have a big weekend," Hubbard added. "Protecting our turf is big for us this year so we want to make sure that we don't lose at home. We have beat Baylor here before and can do it again. We have to finish the season strong to be in the best position possible heading into Nationals."
NCEA National Team Rankings (Feb. 23, 2016)
1. Auburn (7-1)
2. Georgia (7-2)
3. Texas A&M (8-2)
4. Baylor (9-3)
5. Oklahoma State (6-3)
6. TCU (4-6)
7. SMU (5-5)
8. Fresno State (3-5)
9. South Carolina (3-7)
10. Kansas State (3-4)
"Be Bold!" - Follow the ‘Dogs on social media via Twitter (@FresnoStateEQ), Instagram or on Facebook at facebook.com/fresnostateequestrianteam.
