The challenge of a doubleheader on the road did not trouble K-State’s equestrian team for long last Friday. The Wildcats struggled with No. 2 ranked Georgia, losing 4-15, but managed to regroup and take down No. 8 Fresno State 8-7. The win and loss moved K-State to 4-5 on the season.
It was a slow start for K-State at the University of Georgia Equestrian Complex as they took on Georgia. The Wildcats struggled in Hunt Seat, barely managing to make a mark as they fell 1-8.
The Bulldogs took charge early, sweeping K-State in Equitation over Fences and continuing their stomping in Equitation on the Flat. Junior Christina Martinelli managed to put a single point on the board for K-State as she slipped past Georgia’s Alex Maracic 78-77.
The Western discipline failed to provide any leverage for K-State as the Wildcats fell 7-3.
Junior Sydney Anson prevented a sweep in Horsemanship as she rode past Georgia’s Graysen Stroud 70.5-69.5. Anson provided the only point for K-State as the Wildcats fell 1-4.
K-State regrouped in Reining, but it wasn’t enough as Georgia still managed to top K-State 3-2. In a close battle with Georgia’s Stroud, sophomore Kali Retzler earned the first Most Outstanding Performer of her career when she topped Stroud 68.5-67.5. Senior Kara Guy built on that momentum as she added the second point for K-State on a 64.5-62 win over Georgia’s Claudia Spreng.
“This morning against Georgia, we did not ride to our potential,” head coach Casie Maxwell said to K-State Sports. “We stepped up this afternoon against Fresno State.”
A change in momentum proved beneficial for the Wildcats. It started in the Hunt Seat discipline against Fresno State. K-State took Hunt Seat 5-2.
After getting swept earlier in the day in Equitation over Fences, K-State completely turned the tables, sweeping Fresno State 4-0. In a dominating performance, junior Taylor Schmidt got things started for K-State with a 70-50 victory over Fresno State’s Kylina Chalack.
Martinelli continued to provide for the Wildcats with a 65-60 win over Fresno State’s Alex Dirickson. Fresno State’s Paige Pastorino received a zero score to help junior Henley Adkins cruise to an 81-0 victory. Sophomore Molly Dunn finished the sweep with an 84-79 victory over Fresno State’s Sierra Swaffer.
Once again, Martinelli came through for K-State in Equitation on the Flat. In a rematch from Fences against Fresno State’s Dirickson, Martinelli prevailed with a score of 72-71. Fresno State went on to take Equitation on the Flat 2-1.
Fresno State bounced back in Western as K-State fell 3-5 in the discipline.
The Wildcats started their comeback in Horsemanship. Fresno State finished on top 3-1. Senior Danielle Kemper carded the only point for K-State on a 75-72 decision over Fresno State’s Taylor Brown.
Reining turned into a battle and finished tied 2-2. Kemper notched another strong performance for K-State, blowing out Fresno State’s Taylor Dixon 68.5-0. A 68.5-66 win for Retzler marked her second of the day as she cruised past Fresno State’s Kayli Gobeli. Her efforts helped the Wildcats end the day with an 8-7 win over Fresno State.
K-State will continue its road trip on Friday against No. 4 Baylor.
