Bulldogs to begin season at Willis Invitational

Friday, September 30

Waco, Texas / Willis Family Equestrian Center

8 a.m. PT

Fresno State

#10 New Mexico State

Bulldogs to begin season at Willis Invitational

9/29/2016 9:36:00 AM | Equestrian

The Fresno State equestrian team is currently ranked No. 9 in the country; competition begins on Friday at 8 a.m. PT in Waco, Texas

By: Jason Kelm / Communications Assistant

FRESNO, Calif.- The No. 9 Fresno State equestrian team is set to face South Dakota State, No. 5 Baylor and No. 10 New Mexico State as it opens its season at the annual Willis Invitational in Waco, Texas at the Willis Family Equestrian Center this Friday and Saturday.

This will be the ninth year that Baylor (0-1) has hosted the invitational and the Bears have won all eight of the previous meets. Last week, Baylor fell to No. 8 South Carolina (12-6), while South Dakota State and New Mexico State have yet to compete this season.

Last year at the Willis Invitational, the Bulldogs defeated UT-Martin (12-3), but fell to Baylor (9-6) and New Mexico State (9-7).

All-time, the 'Dogs are 6-2 against South Dakota State, most recently defeating the Jackrabbits 11-4 on March 19, 2016. Fresno State has a 2-8 all-time record against Baylor, with its last win coming on Feb. 22, 2014 in a 10-5 victory. The Bulldogs and Aggies have been even in their rivalry over the years, each winning 10 meets since 2006; in their last meeting on Oct. 23, 2015 in Fresno, the 'Dogs won 12-8.

Fresno State's first home competition will be Oct. 21 against No. 4 TCU (0-1) and will air live and for free on the Mountain West Network.

Willis Invitational Schedule:
Friday – 8 a.m. PT
Round 1 Baylor vs. SDSU and Fresno State vs. NMSU
Fences and Reining followed by Flat and Horsemanship

Friday – Noon PT
Round 2 Baylor vs. NMSU and Fresno State vs. SDSU
Flat and Reining

Saturday – 8 a.m. PT
Round 2 cont. Baylor vs. NMSU and Fresno State vs. SDSU
Jumping and Horsemanship

Saturday – 10 a.m. PT
Round 3 Baylor vs. Fresno State and NMSU vs. SDSU
Jumping and Horsemanship followed by Flat and Reining

Bulldog Lineup:
Equitation Over Fences
Kylina Chalack
Alexandra Dirickson
Maddy Keck
Paige Pastorino
Natalie Wendt
Dani Schneider

Equitation on the Flat
Kylina Chalack
Alexandra Dirickson
Sierra Swaffar
Natalie Wendt
Genna Fogelberg

Reining
Taylor Brown
Taylor Dixon
Taeya Harle
Rachel Williams
Madison Robinson

Horsemanship
Paige Barton
Taylor Brown
Alysa Frias
Kara Gustafson
Hailey Robison

NCEA National Team Rankings (Sept. 28):
1. Auburn (0-0)
2. Georgia (0-0)
3. Texas A&M (1-0)
4. TCU (0-1)
5. Baylor (0-1)
6. SMU (1-0)
7. Oklahoma State (1-0)
8. South Carolina (1-0)
9. Fresno State (0-0)
10. New Mexico State (0-0)

"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.