Tenth-ranked Fresno State controlled the second half of the meet to earn an 11-5 victory over South Dakota State in head-to-head equestrian competition Friday at the DeHaan Equestrian Center.
Â
Friday's meet marked the season opener for both squads and the first for SDSU under head coach Kamerra Brown.
Â
The Jackrabbits held the upper hand early in the competition by winning three of the five points awarded in flat. Senior Hannah Steele opened with an 81-78 victory in her matchup against Grace Mathias, followed by victories from sophomores Elizabeth Wagner (80-64) and Kayla Scherer (77-74).
Â
Steele earned her second point of the day with an 84-81 victory over Olivia Ferro in fences. Newcomer Juliana Gullo picked up the other point for the Jackrabbits in fences, edging Molly Stewart, 83-82, aboard Sunday.
Â
Fresno State sealed the victory with a 3-0 advantage in horsemanship. Two other  head-to-head matchups resulted in ties as Grace Gerbus (73.5) and Paige Wellendorf (72.5) drew with their Bulldog counterparts.
Â
The Bulldogs also tallied a 3-1 edge in reining to take a 5-4 lead at the halfway mark of the competition. Freshman Emma Riggs picked up the lone point for SDSU with a 68-65 victory over Gianna Flemming-Nelson. Junior Adisyn Kuxhaus tied in her matchup against Brogan Hill with a team-best score of 68.5.
Â
Fresno State swept all four Most Outstanding Performer awards, highlighted by a score of 90 by Averey Pritchard in fences.
 UP NEXT
SDSU closes out weekend competition by hosting UT Martin in head-to-head competition at noon Saturday.
 FRESNO STATE 11, SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 6
Fences Juliana Gullo (SDSU) def. Molly Stewart (FSU), 83-82 [Sunday] Hannah Steele (SDSU) def. Olivia Ferro (FSU), 84-81 [Mambo]
Paloma Primavera (FSU) def. Brooke Borges (SDSU), 81-79 [Charlie]
Paris Mahoney (FSU) def. Kayla Scherer (SDSU), 86-70 [Archie]
*Averey Pritchard (FSU) def. Sarah Gould (SDSU), 90-85 [Lizzie] Flat Hannah Steele (SDSU) def. Grace Mathias (FSU), 81-78 [Sweet Pea] Elizabeth Wagner (SDSU) def. Autumn Bradbury (FSU), 80-64 [Harrison]
*Yasmin Roman (FSU) def. Sierra Elliott (SDSU), 87-78 [Lizzie]
Paris Mahoney (FSU) def. Kendyl Rudolf (SDSU), 83-69 [Annie] Kayla Scherer (SDSU) def. Molly Stewart (FSUI), 77-74 [Enrique] Horsemanship Grace Gerbus (SDSU) tied Ashley Gerdes (FSU), 73.5-73.5 [Marley] Paige Wellendorf (SDSU) tied Ella Storch (FSU), 72.5-72.5 [Ranger]
*Hailey Olson (FSU) def. Maryn Mead (SDSU), 78-71.5 [Marshal]
Kendra Lee (FSU) def. Hannah Dutton (SDSU), 74.5-74 [Knight]
Abby Goddard (FSU) def. Brighton McBride (SDSU), 75-68.5 [Snaps] Reining
Alana Becker (FSU) def. Maryn Mead (SDSU), 68.5-65.5 [Lash]
Shelby Robinette (FSU) def. Lydia Loken (SDSU), 66-60.5 [Flicka]
*Adrianna Runzo (FSU) def. Lillie Wallis (SDSU), 69.5-64 [Lucy] Adisyn Kuxhaus (SDSU) tied Brogan Hills (FSU), 68.5-68.5 [Jessie] Emma Riggs (SDSU) def. Gianna Flemming-Nelson (FSU), 68-65 [Aggie] Notes: Horse name in brackets; * denotes Most Outstanding Performer (MOP) Â