Photo – Belle Sand
FRESNO, Calif. – The University of Minnesota Crookston equestrian team fell 13-3 to Fresno State University Friday, February 3 at the Student Horse Center in Fresno, Calif. The Golden Eagles were propelled by Belle Sand (So., Spicer, Minn.) earning the program’s first-ever MOP (Most Outstanding Performance) in reining.
The Golden Eagles fell to 0-5 with Friday’s loss. UMN Crookston tied their most individual wins in an NCEA match this season. They previously picked up three individual points against the University of South Carolina, and Delaware State University. Fresno State improved to 1-6.
Sand lifted Minnesota Crookston with her ride on CJ defeating Hannah Hieber 78-77.5 in reining. The Golden Eagles picked up a second point in reining with a 57-0 victory for Olivia Becker (Sr., Deer Park, Wis.) over Shelby Robinette. Minnesota Crookston also obtained a point in fences as Keira Boedigheimer (So., Colorado Springs, Colo.) upended Olivia Ferro on RB 64-55.
The Golden Eagles were slightly edged in their other three fences rides. Julianna Gullo (Fr., Itasca, Ill.) fell 85-78 to Sara Tuck on Dublin. Alex Pfaffenbach (Jr., Appleton, Wis.) fell 77-71 to Taylor Holstead on Chiquita. Josie Mills (So., Brandon, S.D.) was upended 69-62 by Ana Bertozzi on Cru.
Gullo posted the strongest ride on the flat for Minnesota Crookston, falling 86-75 to Bertozzi on Blue.
In horsemanship, Becker came close against Hannah Buijs on Diesel, but was narrowly upended 75-72. Ashlyn Montague (Fr., Draper, Utah) also had a strong performance, but fell 72-69 to Emily Maul on Strawberry.
The Golden Eagles will wrap up their meet with Baylor University Saturday, February 4 at 12 p.m. C.T. Minnesota Crookston competed in flat and reining with the Bears on Friday. They currently trail 5-0. The Bears and Golden Eagles will compete in fences and horsemanship on Saturday.
