April 17, 2008

FRESNO, Calif. - The Bulldog English team, seeded No. 8 at the 2008 Varsity Equestrian National Championships, continued to show it is one of the nation's premier teams with a solid 5-2 victory over No. 9 New Mexico State, knocking the Aggies from the championship round.

The Bulldogs now face against No. 1 Oklahoma State, which received a bye in into the championship bracket at the national championship event held at the Heart O' Texas Arena in Waco, Texas. The Bulldogs and Cowgirls began their match on Thursday night and will conclude Friday morning.

Against the Aggies, the Bulldogs swept all four matches in Equitation on the Flat, as senior Kirsten Sohns, Lindsey Blair, Kelsey Bullock and Mallory Hames all recorded victories. Cambria Kissell scored a 165 in Fences, the highest score in the event, and won Fresno State's only match in that event for one team point. Lisa Wells, who will be competing Saturday for an individual national title, tied her match with a score of 143.

"It was a bittersweet day," head coach Becky Malmo said "Our English team continues to be real strong and rode well against New Mexico State. Now we will see what happens against Oklahoma State, the No. 1 team in the nation."

Fresno State lost a tough match to No. 7 Auburn and was eliminated from the VENC. The Dogs lost 6-2, with five of the matches being decided by less than three points each.

Two Bulldog freshmen earned wins, one each in reining and horsemanship. Elizabeth Thomasian defeated Julie Gibbes 141.5-133.0 in reining and Adriane Smith beat Kimberty Tidwell 145.5-138.5 in Western Horsemanship.

"The Western team had some really good rides, but it wasn't good enough today," Malmo said. "Marybeth Brown rode so well it brought tears to my eyes. I'm so proud of her. Elizabeth Thomasian scored her first point as a Bulldog and doing it at the national championships against Auburn is a great thing. Adriane Smith continues to ride very well for us as she has all season. It's so sad to see their season come to an end."

English
New Mexico State 2, Fresno State 5
Equitation Over Fences
Sarah Suazo 158 defeated Jennifer Jory 145
Catherine Helmuth 127 defeated Katie Nenneker 76
Elizabeth Robinson 115 lost to Cambria Kissell 165
Megan Keeley 143 tied Lisa Wells 143

Equitation on the Flat
Megan Keeley 132 lost to Lindsey Blair 133
Jennifer Friend 125 lost to Kelsey Bullock 134
Sarah Suazo 102 lost to Mallory Hames 118
Catherine Helmuth 99 lost to Kirsten Sohns 120

Western
Fresno State 2, Auburn 6
Reining
Jill Tebbe 131.0 0 lost to Lyndsey Jordan 133.0
Elizabeth Thomasian 141.5 defeated Julie Gibbes 133.0
Keri Blackledge 140.0 lost to Ashton Fairey 142.0
Marybeth Brown 144.5 lost to Paige Monfore 145.5

Western Horsemanship
Adriane Smith 145.5 defeated Kimberly Tidwell 138.5
Rebecca Flood 0.0 lost to Kylie Miller 136.0
Danielle Escover 136.5 lost to Avery Sams 137.5
Asheline Beeson 140.0 lost to Jessica Jones 142.5

Join the State - Fresno State! Follow the Bulldogs at the VENC national championships by logging on to gobulldog.com.