'Dogs earn Top 10 win to start season 2-0

BROOKINGS, S.D. - The No. 10 Fresno State equestrian team moved to 2-0 on the season with an 8-7 win over No. 8 UT Martin on Saturday morning, in a neutral site meeting in South Dakota. The Bulldogs open their season 2-0 for the first time since 2021 and just the fourth time in program history.

The 'Dogs earned three Most Outstanding Performer honors against the Skyhawks with true freshman Paris Mahoney sweeping the jumping seat honors and senior Kendra Lee bringing home the horsemanship honor.

How it happened

Fresno State and UT Martin began their meet on Friday afternoon in the reining and flat, and the Bulldogs left on Friday trailing 4-3 through the first two events. All three of the Bulldog points came in the flat by Molly Stewart, Grace Mathias and Paris Mahoney. Mahoney earned her MOP honor with an 85.

The Skyhawks won all three points awarded in the reining with Brogan Hill tying in her ride with a 70.5.

The Bulldogs regrouped on Saturday, and won enough points to take the meet outright. The teams tied 2-2 in the horsemanship with points from Kendra Lee and Aubrey Gerdes. Lee earned her MOP with a 76.5 to her opponent's 72.5.

Fresno State continued its dominance in the fences, winning the event 3-1. Paloma Primavera, Mahoney and Averey Pritchard won their points in the event. Mahoney earned her fences MOP with a 87-78 showing.

Notable

Fresno State earned a win over a ranked team for the first time since defeating No. 9 UC Davis on Feb. 24, 2024.

Fresno State has opened its season 2-0 for the first time since the fall of 2021, and the fourth time in program history. One of those seasons was the shortened COVID season (Spring 2021).

This weekend, the Bulldogs won a true road meet for the first time since the Spring of 2021.

The Bulldogs won their first neutral site meet since October 2021.

Fresno State won seven total MOPs on the weekend.

True freshman Paris Mahoney was undefeated in her rides on the weekend, winning all four (two fences, two flat) with two MOP honors on the weekend.

Senior Kendra Lee went 2-0 in her horsemanship rides on the weekend.

Freshman Paloma Primavera and sophomore Averey Pritcherd were both 2-0 in their fences rides this weekend.

Up Next

The Bulldogs return to California, but remain on the road for their next competition, traveling to UC Davis on Oct. 12. Fresno State has its home opener on Friday, October 18 against TCU.