FRESNO, Calif. - The No. 8 Fresno State equestrian is back in California this week, and traveling north to UC Davis for its third-straight meet away from the Valley to open the season.
No. 8 Fresno State (2-0, 0-0 Big 12) at UC Davis (0-0, 0-0 ECAC)
Saturday, Oct. 12 • 11 a.m. PT •Davis, Calif. • UC Davis Equestrian Center
Series History: Fresno State leads, 10-2
Last Time: Fresno State 9, UC Davis 9 (FS wins by tiebreaker, 1491.5-1400)
Bulldog Bones
Fresno State moved up two spots to No. 8 in this week's NCEA national dual discipline team rankings.
Fresno State is 2-0 to open the season. It's the first time for the Bulldogs since 2021, and just the fourth time in program history.
Fresno State defeated then-No. 8 UT Martin in a neutral site meeting on Oct. 5 for its first win over a ranked team since Feb. 24, 2024.
The Bulldogs had two meets last weekend, and brought home seven of the eight total Most Outstanding Performer honors in the two meets.
Fresno State had seven riders see their first action as Bulldogs in the opening weekend including freshmen Hailey Olson, Gianna Fleming, Paloma Primavera and Paris Mahoney.
Fresno State is in its 10th season led by Eric Hubbard as head coach. Prior to his time as the full time head coach, he spent three seasons as the interim. Hubbard retained both assistant coaches from last season as Mary Brown returns for year number eight as the western assistant coach and Sierra Swaffar, a former Bulldog equestrian herself, is back for year two leading the jumping seat crew.
Western 'Dogs
Fresno State's western teams combine for a 8-6-4 overall record this season.
The horsemanship group leads the way with a 5-2-2 record and reining has gone 3-4-2.
Senior horsemanship rider Kendra Lee is the only undefeated (2-0-0) Bulldog on either western team.
Lee earned the horsemanship MOP against then-No. 8 UT Martin with a 76.5-72.5 ride over her opponent.
True freshman Hailey Olson won the horsemanship MOP in the season opener against South Dakota State with a 78-71.5 showing in her first collegiate ride.
Olson and Abby Goddard are 1-1-0 in the horsemanship this season.
Alana Becker, Shelby Robinette and Adrianna Runzo pace the reining squad with 1-1-0 records a piece.
Runzo earned the reining MOP in the season opener against South Dakota State with a 69.5. It was her first ride in the lineup.
Fresno State has seen action from freshmen Olson (horsemanship) and Gianna Fleming (reining) on the western side.
Jumping Seat 'Dogs
Fresno State is 11-7-0 in the jumping seat events this season with a 6-3-0 record in the fences and 5-4-0 in the flat.
Fresno State has three Bulldogs who are undefeated in their jumping seat rides this season.
Freshman Paris Mahoney is 2-0 in both the fences and the flat events this season, including one MOP in both events.
Mahoney swept the jumping seat MOPs in the meet vs UT Martin.
Sophomore Averey Pritchard scored a 90 in her first career fences ride, earning the MOP against South Dakota State.
Pritchard is 2-0 in the fences this season.
Another freshman, Paloma Primavera, is 2-0 in the fences with a season-high 86 in the opener against South Dakota State.
About the Aggies
UC Davis opens its season this weekend against Fresno State.
The Aggies just announced former Bulldog horsemanship rider Emily Maul to their staff as an assistant coach.
UC Davis finished the 2023-24 season as the ECAC conference champion. The Aggies had a 6-7 overall record on the year.