BROOKINGS, S.D. - The No. 10 Fresno State equestrian team opened its season with a 11-6 win over South Dakota State on Friday morning. The Bulldogs won their season opener for the first time since 2021. It was the first time the 'Dogs won their season opener on the road, in a non-COVID affected season, since 2018.
The Bulldogs had at least one true freshman participate in each event on Friday with Gianna Fleming (reining), Hailey Olson (horsemanship), Paloma Primavera (fences) and Paris Mahoney (fences and flat) making their Bulldog debuts. Returners Adrianna Runzo, Averey Pritchard and Yasmin Roman also competed for the first time.
Fresno State swept all four Most Outstanding Performer honors in the meet - Averey Pritchard (fences), Yasmin Roman (flat), Hailey Olson (horsemanship) and Adrianna Runzo (reining).
How it happened
South Dakota State opened the meet with a 3-2 win in the flat. Fresno State won points by Yasmin Roman and Paris Mahoney in the event. Roman secured the MOP with a 87-78 ride over Sierra Elliott. Mahoney, a true freshman, followed with an 83 to her opponent's 69 to secure her first collegiate point.
On the western side, the Bulldogs reining team earned a 3-1-1 win in the event. Alana Becker, Shelby Robinette and Adrianna Runzo earned the first three points, and Brogan Hill tied in her ride with a score of 68.5. Runzo earned the MOP honor with a 69.5-64 ride. Fresno State had a 5-4-1 lead at the break.
Fresno State won the only three points awarded in the horsemanship with ties from Aubrey Gerdes (73.5) and Ella Storch (72.5). Hailey Olson, Kendra Lee and Abby Goddard won their points for the 'Dogs. Olson, in her first collegiate ride, was named the horsemanship MOP with a 78-71.5 victory over Maryn Mead.
In the fences, Fresno State earned a 3-2 win. The Jackrabbits secured the first two points, but the 'Dogs closed out with points from Palona Primavera, Mahoney and Averey Pritchard. Sophomore Pritchard earned the MOP with a 90-85 showing in her first ride as a Bulldog.
Notable
Fresno State swept the MOP honors for the first time since Feb. 4, 2023 against Baylor.
Of its 11 total points, Fresno State had seven first-time point winners in the win.
Aubrey Gerdes rode for a career-high 73.5 (horsemanship)
Abby Goddard's 75 was the third-highest score of her career (horsemanship)
Kendra Lee's 74.5 was the fourth-highest score of her career (horsemanship)
Molly Stewart scored a career-high 82 in the fences on Friday
Up Next
The Bulldogs will continue the tri-meet in South Dakota on Friday and finish on Saturday against UT Martin. The teams will compete in the flat and reining events on Friday, then finish with fences and horsemanship on Saturday morning. More information is available here.