The Fresno State equestrian team has signed 11 riders for the 2011-12 season.
June 1, 2011
FRESNO, Calif. -
The Fresno State equestrian team will welcome 11 new Bulldogs to the Student Horse Center for the 2011-12 season. In the newest group of Dogs there are three Hunt Seat riders and eight western riders. Head coaches Julia Scrivani and Stephanie Reeves worked very hard on their new recruiting class and are very excited for the upcoming season.
The three new English riders include two freshman and one transfer. Belle Calkins is a transfer from Kansas State where she rode on the equestrian team for the Wildcats for one year. Calkins was captain of her high school equestrian team and competing extensively in the Interscholastic Equestrian League (IEL). She received a Varsity Individual letter in IEL, was Marshall Sterling Reserve Champion in the Junior Medal, was the 2008 SFVHSA Challenge Medal Winner, and has several division championships in IEL. She will bring varsity equestrian experience into the Bulldog arena a long with a history of equestrian success.
Kara Spicer is from Southern California and has an excellent equestrian resume. In 2007 she competed in the Children's FEI World Cup Qualifier. Spicer heavily competed and won numerous ribbons in the Modified Junior Jumpers at Showpark, The oaks, HITS in Thermal, and Los Angeles Equestrian Center. She competed in the West Coast Junior Hunter Finals, WCE Equitation Challenge, ASPCA Maclay, and the USEF Talent Search. Spicer qualified for the West Coast Junior Hunter Team and participated in the Zone 10 Emerging Athletes Program where she clinched with Joe Fargis (Gold Medalist), and McLain Ward.
Macy Wilson currently trains with Tina Cornish and Bobby Brown. She is in the United States Pony Club with a B B rating and passing her HB test. Wilson plans to attend the SAHJA Hunt Jumper Challenge this summer. She has trained many young horses throughout her equestrian career and attended clinics with Earl McFall, Valerie Owen.
There will be four new Horsemanship riders and four new Reiners joining the Fresno State equestrian team in the fall. Brynn Boyett, Linne' Beason, Lauren Crivelli, and Sophia Harik will be joining the Horsemanship group next season.
Boyett has multiple top five buckle wins from the Gold N Grand Horseshow and plans to compete at the Santa Barbara National Hore Western Show, American Pain Horse Association (APHA) Bakersfield Show, and APHA Turlock Spring Show. Brynn currently trains with
Katie Wagner.
Beeson has a number of championships under her belt and was co-captain of her high school equestrian team in Southern California. Beeson was 2010 Reserve All Around Novice Youth 18 and Under, Champion Western Pleasure Novice youth 18 and Under, and Champion Showmanship Novice Youth 18 and Under. At the 2010 Youth APHA World Show Beeson placed 3rd in Novice Youth 18 and Under Trail, 8th in Novice Youth 18 and Under Western Pleasure and was a Finalist in Novice Youth 18 and Under Western Riding. Beeson currently trains with Karen Qualls.
Crivelli is a transfer from San Louis Obispo who has already qualified for the 2011 American Quarter Horse Youth Association World Show in Showmanship, Horsemanship, Hunt Seat Eq., Performance Halter Mares, Trail, Cuttting and Reining. Some of her accomplishments include 2 time American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Youth Champion Winner, 2010 Youth World Cup Team USA Leadership Member, and 2009 Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Association (PCQHA) Year End All Around Youth 14-18. Crivelli currently trains with Troy Lehn and Doug and Stacy Huls.
Harik has shown Quarter Horses extensively throughout her equestrian career. In 2007 she was All-American Quarter Horse Congress champion in trail and placed 7th in novice youth horsemanship. In 2009 she was an American Quarter Horse Youth Association (AQHYA) World Show qualifier. In 2008 Harik was Glen Gimple horsemanship champion. Harik has also been on the varsity team at her high school for all four years and won the Interscholastic Equestrian League (IEL) all around champion title in 2008. She is currently training with Jan Ball.
The Reining team will welcome Mercedes Antonini, Ciara Kozlowski, Kirsten McKillop, and Brigid O'Leary.
Antonini was the 2005 Year End Nor Cal Grand Champion, 17 & Under Youth, and 2005 Year End Nor Cal Grand Champion Green Reiner. In 2006 she was Region III AHA All Breed High Point Winner. Atonini has eleven years riding experience and a family rooted in the equine industry. She Currently trains with Jill Mitchell.
Kozlowski was the 2007 (West Coast Reining Horse Association) WCRHA year end champion, the 2008 Gold N Grand Champion, the 2010 Arizona Sun Circuit Novice Champion, 2010 WCRHA Slide for the Cure Reserve Champion, and a 2010 American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Youth World Show Qualifier. Kozlowski has twelve years of riding experience and is a third generation horsewoman. Her father is carded judge and her trainer.
McKillop is a well rounded rider who brings extensive experience from the Arabian Horse Associaion (AHA). She was the 2010 Arabian Youth National Championships Reining Seat Equitation 14-17 Reserve Champ, 2010 Region 3 Championships Western Horsemanship Champion and Reining Horse Champion. McKillop plans to attend the 2011 Region 3 Championships, Arabian Youth Natioanl Championships and Canadian Nationals this summer. She is currently training with her mother, Jill McKillop.
O'Leary comes to the team as a strong reining rider. She already qualified for the 2011 Jack and Linda Baker Reining Classic. She plans to attend Showtime Classic and "Pink" Classic Championship this summer. O'Leary is currently training with Rick Baer.
The new recruiting class will replace the eight seniors that the Dogs said farewell to in May. Scrivani and Reeves are confident in the talent and experience that the new Dogs will bring to the arena and contribute to the team.
"We Are Your Team!" Support Fresno State Athletics and purchase tickets for the opening football game against Cal on September 3 at Candlestick Park. Call 559-278-3647 to get your tickets today!
