Fresno State Athletics
`Dogs fall just short of No. 10, SMU
2/6/2016 12:00:00 AM | Equestrian
By: Kimberly Fisher
kimfisher@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
BARTONVILLE, Texas - Despite a domination performance by the Fresno State equestrian Western team, the No. 7 Bulldogs fell just short (10-10) to No. 10 SMU in what was a raw score decision at the Sleepy P Ranch, Saturday afternoon.
"We found some weaknesses this weekend that we will need to turn into strengths," head coach Eric Hubbard said. "We'll face a very good Georgia team coming up and cannot make any mistakes, we'll have to be on our game. We will have the next few weeks to regroup and really focus on becoming stronger."
SMU snapped the Bulldog's all-time win streak with a final tiebreaker score of 1487.50 versus Fresno State's 1465.00. The `Dogs move to 3-6 overall and 3-2 in the United Equestrian Conference, with a 2-5 mark on the road.
After facing No. 6 TCU on Friday, Fresno State took home four total Most Outstanding Player awards, all of which were granted to the Dogs' Western riders. Junior All-American, Taylor Brown was crowned the Reining MOP against the Mustangs with a high score of 69, and sophomore Taylor Dixon was named the Horsemanship MOP for the second time over a two-day span after logging a 74.5 over her opponent's 71.5.
SMU jumped ahead in both Hunt Seat divisions, outscoring the Bulldogs 3-2 in Equitation on the Flat and 4-1 Over Fences. Kylina Chalack and Sierra Swaffar each bounced back from Friday's deficit, earning their individual points in Equitation on the Flat, while sophomore Paige Pasterino went undefeated on the weekend with her second victory in Equitation Over Fences.
The Mustang's home dirt advantage wasn't enough to top the Bulldog Western team who earned their respective points in all but three of 10 combined rides. In Horsemanship, Sydney Elliot and Rachel Williams picked up their first points of the spring season along with Dixon's outstanding performance, giving the `Dogs a 3-2 edge with one event remaining.
Fresno State had a near perfect showing in Reining as four Bulldogs earned their points to tie the score 10-10, including Brown (69-67), Alysa Frias (68.5-68), Sydney Elliott (67-65), and Dixon (66-64) who was victorious in both Hunt Seat events.
Up next, Fresno State will head to Georgia Feb. 26-27 for a double header against Southeastern Conference competitor, No. 2 Georgia (6-1) and ninth-ranked, Big-12 program, Kansas State (3-3).
Since 2008, Georgia has topped the `Dogs in all nine matchups, including three at home, with the last faceoff coming in March of 2015. The Bulldogs grasped their first victory over K-State at home on Nov. 21, 2014, and trail the Wildcats 3-1 all-time.
Fresno State will return home to host Baylor and South Dakota State, March 18-19, for what will be senior weekend at the Student Horse Center. The remaining 2015-16 schedule will round out at the UEC Championships, followed by a shot at the National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) title.
A full recap and final results can be found at GoBulldogs.com following each competition. For updates during the meet, follow the Bulldog equestrian Twitter handle at @FresnoStateEQ.
NCEA National Team Rankings (Feb. 2, 2016)
1. Auburn (6-1)
2. Georgia (6-1)
3. Baylor (7-2)
4. Texas A&M (6-2)
5. Oklahoma State (4-2)
6. TCU (3-4)
7. Fresno State (3-4)
8. South Carolina (3-5)
9. Kansas State (3-3)
10. SMU (2-5)
United Equestrian Conference (Feb. 2)
Fresno State: 3-1 (.750)
Delaware State: 2-1 (.667)
New Mexico State: 3-3 (.500)
South Dakota State: 2-2 (.500)
SMU: 1-1 (.500)
UT-Martin: 1-2 (.333)
"Be Bold!" - Stay up to date, follow the `Dogs on social media via Twitter (@FresnoStateEQ), Instagram and Facebook.
