Equestrian Fall Recap

FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State equestrian team finished the fall slate with a 2-5 overall record, bookending its first half with victories. The Bulldogs earned their first win in a 8-7 neutral site victory over UT-Martin in the Willis Invitational on Sept. 28 and the 'Dogs wrapped up their fall season with a 10-8 victory over No. 4 Baylor at the Student Horse Center on Nov. 10.

Fresno State suffered a loss to Delaware State and then-No. 7 Baylor in the Willis Invitational, road losses to then-No. 2 Texas A&M and then-No 3 SMU, and a home loss to then-No. 5 South Carolina.

The Bulldogs will prepare to host No. 1 Auburn and Delaware State on Friday, Feb. 1 and Saturday, Feb. 2 at the Student Horse Center.

Fresno State in the National Spotlight
The Bulldogs opened the season at No. 9 in the National Collegiate Equestrian Association team rankings that were released at the beginning of the season.

Fresno State fell to No. 10 after its opening weekend at the Willis Invitational and has remained the number 10 team in the country since.

The NCEA introduced team rankings into the mix in the 2017-18 season. For the first set of team rankings this season, released by the organization on Nov. 21, Fresno State made the top 15 in each of the four events. The Bulldogs ranked 13th in Equitation Over Fences, 12th in Equitation on the Flat, seventh in Reining and fifth in Horsemanship.

Leading the Way
Fresno State redshirt sophomore Nicole Campbell led the way for the 'Dogs in the Horsemanship with a 4-3 record in the event. Campbell also earned the Most Outstanding Player honor in all four of her victories this fall.

Senior Alexandra Dirickson earned four wins and one MOP in the Equitation Over Fences and three wins in Equitation on the Flat, leading the way for both of the hunter seat squads. Junior Paige Barton continues her Reining success and leads the way in the event with four wins.

Fantastic Freshmen
The 2018-19 roster welcomed 14 newcomers, 13 freshmen and a Division I transfer in Campbell.

The group of performing freshmen have made a name for themselves in Bulldog uniforms as they continue to grow with the sport and the program.

In the Horsemanship, freshman Brooklyn Moch has chalked a perfect 3-0 mark through the fall competitions. Moch earned UEC Rider of the Week honors and was named the UEC Rider of the Month for October.

Freshman Lexee Padrick earned a 2-3-2 Reining record in the fall including a win over Ashton Dunkel of Texas A&M. Dunkel was apart of the Aggies' 2018 Reining National Championship squad and won her point over Auburn in the event's championship round.

Freshman Cecily Hayes has been a rising star in both of the hunt seat arenas, earning MOPs in both events this fall. Hayes earned her first MOP of the season with a 91 in Equitation on the Flat at Texas A&M on Oct. 23. The freshman also earned a high-scoring ride and MOP at home against Baylor as she scored an 87 in Equitation Over Fences. Hayes is one of two Bulldogs to have multiple MOPs this season.

Bulldogs in the United Equestrian Conference
The fall slate saw numerous conference honors for the Bulldogs.

The United Equestrian Conference introduced Riders of the Week recognitions this season and the Bulldogs earned seven this fall, five in the western events and two in the hunt seat. Campbell led the way with two nominations in Horsemanship (Oct. 1 and Nov. 14) while Barton (Reining - Oct. 1), Moch (Horsemanship - Oct. 29), Shea Gilson (Reining - Nov. 14), Hailey Livingston (Fences - Nov. 14) and Brooke Nelson (Flat - Oct. 1) each added one recognition.

Fresno State also shined on the monthly awards from the UEC as it earned a total of eight this fall. Last season, the 'Dogs only earned UEC Rider of the Month honors on four occasions and they have managed to double that in just half the time in the 2018-19 season.

Campbell earned the Horsemanship Rider of the Month award for September and November, becoming one of four Bulldogs in program history to earn the honor two times in a single event, in a single season.

Barton was the September Reining Rider of the Month for her third career conference monthly honor. Dirickson was the September Equitation Over Fences Rider of the Month while Nelson was the Equitation on the Flat Rider of the Month to round out the Bulldogs' recognitions in September. Moch was named the Horsemanship Rider of the Month for October, being the only Bulldog to be recognized that month. Fresno State finished the fall slate with three UEC monthly honors in Campbell, Gilson and Livingston earning the Rider of the Month honor in their riding styles.

Dirickson and Livingston became the first Bulldogs to be recognized by the United Equestrian Conference in the Equitation Over Fences since Fresno State joined the conference in the 2014-15 season.

Looking Ahead
There is just three chances to catch the Bulldogs at home this spring. Fresno State hosts No. 1 Auburn and Delaware State on Friday, Feb. 1 and Saturday, Feb. 2 at the Student Horse Center.

The Bulldogs then head north to face UC Davis in its inaugural season (Mar. 2) before traveling to Stillwater, Okla. to take on the Cowgirls of Oklahoma State on March 9.

The United Equestrian Conference Championships are slated for March 22-23 in Martin, Tenn. where the 'Dogs will compete for their second championship title. Fresno State will return home to host UC Davis on Saturday, March 30. The Bulldogs will honor eight seniors before the meet with the Aggies.

The NCEA Championships will be held on April 17-20 in Waco, Texas. The Bulldogs will await their team and event seedings following the conclusion of the regular season.

"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.

Follow us on:
Twitter:@FresnoStateEQ
Instagram:fresnostateeq
Facebook:FresnoStateAthletics
Snap Chat:FSAthletics

Fresno State Athletics

Related News

Players Mentioned

Paige Barton

Nicole Campbell

Alexandra Dirickson

Shea Gilson

Cecily Hayes

Hailey Livingston

Brooklyn Moch

Brooke Nelson

Lexee Padrick

Related Videos