March 2, 2008

Complete Release in PDF Format

FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State's match against Auburn came down to an eight-all tie Sunday as the two teams held their breath to find out which team had the higher raw score and thus the win. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, the combined scores for both the English and Western competitions favored Auburn, 1037-947.

Both Fresno State and Auburn picked up two MVP honors on the day. Jennifer Jory, the final rider in equitation over fences, scored a 77 on her ride, earning her the MVP honors in the event. Over in the Western ring, Adriane Smith won the MVP title in horsemanship. The Tigers' Lyndsey Jordan and Chelsea Anheuser won the MVP titles in reining and equitation on the flat, respectively.

The Bulldogs started the day strong, as Rebecca Flood and Asheline Beeson won the first two matches in horsemanship. Smith rounded out the horsemanship category with a Fresno State win, putting the Bulldogs in the lead 3-1 for the Western team.

The scores in the English ring went back and forth in the equitation over fences. Auburn's Jessica Braswell took the first match, but Bulldog Cambria Kissell answered with a win of her own over the Tigers. Dottie Grubb picked up the second point for Auburn. Jory's win with 77 points put the teams in a 2-2 tie on the English side.

Kirsten Sohns picked up Fresno State's lone win in Equitation on the flat on her 51-point finish, while Auburn picked up the last three matches.

The teams split the reining matches. Tiger Ashton Fiarey edged out Elizabeth Thomasian by a half point for the first win. Jillian easily bested her Auburn opponent for the reining win. Keri Blackledge followed suit, winning the third match to put Fresno State ahead by one. But Jordan won the third match, resulting in an 8-8 finish.

With the team points tied, the result rested upon the raw scores from the individual matches. Combining the totals from the Western and English matches, Auburn came out on top, winning 1037-947.

The day marked the final home event for seniors Heather Billings, Marybeth Brown, Sarah Dowlearn, Juliana Person, Kirsten Sohns, and Nicole Williams.

Earlier in the day, New Mexico State and Auburn completed their matches, resulting in an 11-5 win for the Tigers.

The Bulldogs travel to Manhattan, Kans. to take on Kansas State on March 14.

"Join the State-Fresno State!"- The Fresno State equestrian team will be in Manhattan, Kansas to take on Kansas State Friday, March 14 and on Saturday, March 15, the Dogs will compete against Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Oklahoma.