WACO, Texas - A pair of Fresno State equestrians earned National Collegiate Equestrian Association Arion Selliar Rider of the Month honors for January, the NCEA announced on Wednesday as voted on by the NCEA Selection Committee. Senior Olivia Ferro took home the fences honor while sophomore Alana Becker earned the reining recognition.
Ferro went 2-0 in the month of January, defeating her Delaware State and Minnesota Crookston opponents. She was recognized as the fences MOP of both meets. The senior had a margin of victory of 20.5 points against her opponents, and averaged an 82 in her rides. She helped the Bulldogs sweep the jumping seat events against Minnesota Crookston, and go 4-1 in the fences against Delaware State.
Becker also went 2-0 in January, earning one MOP honor for her first of the season. She averaged a 71.75 in her two rides, and had a win margin of 2.25. She edged out her opponent with a season-high 72 against Minnesota Crookston, winning the MOP that meet.
Ferro and Becker represent Fresno State's first NCEA national rider of the month honors this season. Ferro is the first Bulldog since Ana Bertozzi in 2021 to earn the national honor in the fences. Bertozzi and Ferro are the only Bulldogs to ever earn the honor in the fences. Becker joins Shelby Robinette as current Bulldogs with the honor.
Fresno State is back in action this Friday with a Big 12 matchup at home against Baylor.