'Dogs win season opener at UC Davis, 10-9

DAVIS, Calif. - The No. 9 Fresno State equestrian team opened its 2021 campaign with a 10-9 victory at No. 10 UC Davis on Saturday afternoon. In a competition that came down to the very last ride to determine the meet winner, Fresno State ultimately came out on top with winning both western events on the day.

Three Bulldogs earned Most Outstanding Performer honors in the victory. Junior Cecily Hayes was the fences MOP with a 82-40 win in the event. Fresno State swept the western MOP honors with Kameron Thorn earning the award in horsemanship and Lexee Padrick taking it in the reining. Thorn scored a 76.5 to her opponent's 74.5 and Padrick rode for a 70-69 win.

"Today's win showed our grit and determination," said head coach Eric Hubbard. "A lot of things did not go our way today and we were still able to come out on top. We still have work to do, but we will take on that challenge to continue on to become stronger."

How it Happened
The spring 2021 season opened with UC Davis taking the fences event in a narrow 3-2 victory. The Bulldogs earned points from sophomore Ana Bertozzi and Hayes. Bertozzi won her point with a 81-73 ride while Hayes picked up her point with a 82-40 ride that would earn her the MOP title of the event.

The Bulldog horsemanship squad had high-scoring rides all around and took a 3-1-1 win in the event. The 'Dogs were led by Thorn who posted a 76.5 ride to her opponent's 74.5 for the MOP in the event. Fresno State picked up additional points from Hannah Buijs and Alexis Miller. First-year Bulldog Emily Maul tied in her ride with a 74.5.

At the intermission, the Bulldogs held on to a 5-4 lead.

UC Davis took the flat 3-2 to secure a 6-4 win in the jumping seat events on the day. The Bulldogs earned flat points from Bertozzi and freshman Grace Mathias. Mathias won her point with a 74-70 ride in her collegiate riding debut.

The meet was tied at seven apiece with just the reining left to compete. The first point of the reining went to UC Davis, but the Bulldogs evened the score with a point from Julianne Kelley. Padrick picked up her point with her MOP ride to put Fresno State ahead by one. UC Davis earned the point in the next matchup. Senior Paley Capachi rode for a 65, and her Aggie opponent scored a 63 to give Capachi the point and complete the win for Fresno State.

Up Next
Fresno State's meets versus Baylor and Oklahoma State in Texas, originally scheduled for Feb. 18-19, have been postponed due to expected weather conditions in the area. Fresno State's next scheduled competition is a home meet with UC Davis on Thursday, Feb. 25.

"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please visit bulldogfoundation.org.

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'Dogs win season opener at UC Davis, 10-9

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Players Mentioned

Ana Bertozzi

Hannah Buijs

Paley Capachi

Cecily Hayes

Julianne Kelley

Grace Mathias

Emily Maul

Alexis Miller

Lexee Padrick

Kameron Thorn

Fresno State Athletics