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The SMU Equestrian team faces Fresno State in a Hunter Seat competition this Thursday at BuckBranch Farm. SMU is fresh off its 6-4 season-opening victory over rival TCU last week.

Fresno State is 1-1 on the season, with a victory over Delaware State and a loss to Texas A&M last weekend in a multi-team meet in Dover, Delaware. Both of the competitions were combination Hunter Seat/Western events.

Just looking at the Hunter Seat results, Fresno State won 4-3 over Delaware State and lost 5-1 to Texas A&M.

Based on the posted scores last weekend, the Bulldogs appear to be a bit stronger on the flat. Since the Mustangs have typically been stronger over fences this shapes up as a potentially close meet.

Having the chance to get a second win to open the season at home is a great opportunity for SMU. Fresno State was the 7 seed in the Hunter Seat National Championship bracket last season, so a win over the Bulldogs will go a long way to satisfying the postseason aspirations of the Mustangs.

Hopefully the team will step up and post some great scores for some great rides this Thursday! Go Ponies!

let's go Mustangs. good luck today

SMU won today. What a great start to the season. Congratulations to the team on the 2-0 start.

As reported on the SMU Equestrian twitter feed:

SMU beats Fresno State 7-4! Renick Townsend and Mallory Olson named MVPs.

SMU continues to excel over fences. Today we were 5-1! It's nice to see us getting more competitive on the flat this year. Fresno only took a 3-2 lead after the flat portion today.

http://smumustangs.cstv.com/sports/w-equest/recaps/092911aaa.html

Congratulations once again to Renick Townsend and Mallory Olson on their MVP performances. Olson took MVP honors over fences with a score of 80. Senior All-American Jordyn Pettersen also scored an 80 over fences.

It sounds like it was a nice solid team performance across the board.

The Mustangs head to Stillwater to face Oklahoma State on Saturday!

The Fresno State website has the scores:

http://www.gobulldogs.com/sports/w-equest/recaps/092911aad.html

Equitation on the flat (Fresno State 3, SMU 2):

Renick Townsend W 80-73 (MVP)
Courtney Line L 78-74
Molly Osier W 73-71
Greer Hindle T 78-78
Claire Wenholz L 78-74
Maddy Stover L 77-75

Nice showing on the flat for SMU - even the riders who did not earn a point still posted some nice scores!

Equitation over fences (SMU 5, Fresno State 1)

Emily Gardner W 78-73
Lauren Hogan W 79-74
Julianna Fischer L 75-70
Emma Roberts W 77-75
Mallory Olson W 80-71 (MVP)
Jordyn Pettersen W 80-77

Wonderful scores across the board over fences for SMU. Fresno State was certainly competitive but when you put up scores close to 80 consistently like we did today you are going to get your share of points most of the time.

Once again just a fantastic performance from SMU today. The team has obviously put in a ton of work to get things turned around this year. Congratulations to the team and the coaches on the 2-0 start!

Congrats Ponies and their riders too!