Bulldogs return home to host No. 5 SMU and No. 1 Baylor

Friday, February 17

Fresno, Calif.

9 a.m. PT

Fresno State

#1 Baylor

Photo by: Kiel Maddox

Bulldogs return home to host No. 5 SMU and No. 1 Baylor

2/15/2017 7:18:00 PM | Equestrian

Fresno State equestrian faces SMU on Friday at 10 a.m. PT and Baylor on Saturday at 11 a.m.

By: Jason Kelm / Communications Assistant

FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State equestrian team looks to rebound from back-to-back losses last weekend as the Bulldogs get set to host No. 5 SMU on Friday at 10 a.m. PT and No. 1 Baylor on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Fresno State Student Horse Center.

Following the Bulldogs' losses to SMU and TCU, Fresno State has dropped to No. 8 in the National Collegiate Equestrian Association rankings. However, the 'Dogs have a chance to knock off their second No. 1 opponent this season, after defeating Auburn 11-5 last October.

Fresno State (5-4) has faced both the Mustangs (5-2) and Bears (9-2) earlier this season, but failed to come up with a win against either of them. After beginning the season 4-1, the Bulldogs have dropped three of their last four contests.

The 'Dogs look to senior western rider Taylor Brown to continue her strong performances this season. She has gone 13-5 with 11 MOPs so far this year, while freshman Natalie Wendt has stepped up in the hunt seat arena, going 8-5-1 with three MOPs.

Another Bulldog freshman that has shown promise this season is Shea Gilson, who is 5-2 in reining, an event that has given Fresno State some trouble this year. Horsemanship continues to be the strength for the Bulldogs (23-14-4), as junior Rachel Williams has gone 6-2-1 in the event.

Following this weekend's competitions, the Bulldogs host No. 6 Georgia on March 3 at 10 a.m. PT

2016-17 Bulldogs:
Equitation on the Flat (17-19-3)
Kylina Chalack – 5-3-1, two MOPs
Alexandra Dirickson – 3-3-2
Genna Fogelberg – 0-1
Maddy Keck – 0-4
Brooke Nelson – 0-1
Sierra Swaffar – 4-5, one MOP
Natalie Wendt – 5-2-1, two MOPs

Equitation Over Fences (20-19-1)
Kylina Chalack – 5-3-1
Alexandra Dirickson – 5-3, one MOP
Maddy Keck – 3-2
Brooke Nelson – 0-1
Paige Pastorino – 3-5, two MOPs
Dani Schneider – 1-0
Natalie Wendt – 3-5, one MOP

Horsemanship (23-13-4)
Taylor Brown – 7-2, five MOPs
Taylor Dixon – 4-4-1
Taeya Harle – 3-3-2, one MOP
Madison Robinson – 3-2, one MOP
Rachel Williams – 6-2-1

Reining (13-25-2)
Paige Barton – 0-2-1
Taylor Brown – 6-3, six MOPs
Taylor Dixon – 1-5-1
Alysa Frias – 0-5
Shea Gilson – 5-2
Kara Gustafson – 1-7
Hailey Robison – 0-1

"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.