FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State equestrian team rode to a 10-9 upset over No. 2 SMU on Friday afternoon at the Student Horse Center. It was the first time Fresno State defeated a Top 2 team since the spring of 2021.
Fresno State picked up its first win of the season, heading into the winter recess.
Senior Sara Tuck was named the flat MOP after securing the outright win for the Bulldogs, earning the final point of the afternoon with a 77-75 showing. Tuck earned her third flat MOP of the season, and ninth of her career to tie the program record for most flat MOPs in a career.
How it happened
Fresno State and SMU were evenly matched in events across the board. SMU took the horsemanship, 3-2. Senior Emily Maul won the first point with a 75.5-73.5 showing. Abby Goddard picked up the second point for the 'Dogs with a 75-72 ride for her third-straight win this season.
In the fences, it was the Bulldogs who took the event 3-2. Olivia Ferro won her fifth-straight fences point of the season with an 82-77 victory against the Mustangs. Taylor Holstead won her point with an 80 to her opponent's 69. Tuck swept in her rides on the day, picking up her fences point with a 68-52 showing.
At the break, the Bulldogs were tied 5-5 with No. 2 SMU.
Much of the reining scores were held for review, but at the end of it all, the teams tied 2-2 in the event. Fresno State's points were earned by Shelby Robinete and Alana Becker.
With the flat wrapping up, the Bulldogs needed to win three of the five for the meet win and they did just that. Autumn Bradbury stayed hot, winning for her third-straight flat point in a 69-67 showing. Holstead went undefeated on the day after picking up a 69-68 edging. Tuck secured the team win and the MOP with a 77-75 ride to close out the afternoon.
Notable
Fresno State defeated a Top 2 opponent for the first time since Mar. 5, 2021 when it defeated No. 2 TCU.
Friday was the fifth time in program history that the Bulldogs defeated a No. 1 or No. 2 team.
SMU was the 2023 Dual Discipline National Champion
Sara Tuck won her third flat MOP of the season, and the ninth of her career. She tied Cecily Hayes (2018-22) and Sierra Swaffar (2014-18) for most in a career.
Autumn Bradbury, Olivia Ferro, Abby Goddard, Shelby Robinette are each riding a winning streak of three or more
Up Next
Fresno State has hit its winter break, and returns to action with the spring season against TCU on Feb. 2