UC DAVIS DEFEATS JACKS IN ECAC FINAL

Saturday, March 28

Harrington, Del.

9 a.m. ET/8 a.m. CT

South Dakota State University

UC Davis

South Dakota State equestrian rider Hailey Hanson competes in horsemanship aboard Knight in action during the 2025-26 season.

Photo by: Dave Eggen/Inertia

3/28/2026 10:10:00 PM | Equestrian

HARRINGTON, Del. — South Dakota State's first-ever appearance in an ECAC Equestrian Championship final ended Saturday with the Jackrabbits falling to top-seeded UC Davis, 12-7.

SDSU wrapped up the postseason tournament with a 6-8 overall record in head-to-head competition. The Aggies completed a perfect season against ECAC opponents at 8-0 and improved to 9-7 overall.

UC Davis held a 4-1 advantage in horsemanship, although all four of the Aggie victories were by a point or less. Hailey Hanson was the lone winner for SDSU in the event after tallying an average score of 74.75 from the two-judge panel to win her matchup against Ada Hirschfeld.

The Jackrabbits were able to secure two points in each of the other three events, including Hanson earning a point in reining with an average score of 65.25. Lillie Wallis picked up the other point in reining, also after tallying 65.25 points.

In the jumping seat events, Heidi White (87.5) and Isabelle Malick (86.5) were victorious for SDSU in fences, while Juliana Gullo (84) and Kayla Scherer (69) won their head-to-head matchups in flat.

UC DAVIS 12, SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 7
Fences
Sabine Close (UCD) def. Juliana Gullo (SDSU), 75-71 [Cici]
Lauren Kolbe (UCD) def. Brooke Borges (SDSU), 78.5-77.5 [Gino]
Isabelle Malick (SDSU) def. Chloe Fares (UCD), 86.5-85.5 [Simon]
Heidi White (SDSU) def. Cavan Smith (UCD), 87.5-85 [Sully]
Anna Donovan (UCD) def. Sarah Gould (SDSU), 89-65.5 [Cooper]
Flat
Juliana Gullo (SDSU) def. Lauren Kolbe (UCD), 84-73 [Carl]
Carmen Gonzalez (UCD) def. Sierra Elliott (SDSU), 78-62 [Choco]
Amanda Paul (UCD) def. Isabelle Malick (SDSU), 76-75.5 [Tillie]
Kayla Scherer (SDSU) def. Cavan Smith (UCD), 69-0 [Casper]
Anna Donovan (UCD) def. Heidi White (SDSU), 80-76.5 [Sandaro]
Horsemanship
Eliza Plum (UCD) def. Hannah Dutton (SDSU), 75-74 [Wilson]
Katya Dundas (UCD) def. Grace Gerbus (SDSU), 73.75-73.25 [Maverick]
Laura Kate Holliday (UCD) def. Avery Bergan (SDSU), 74.25-74 [Felon]
Hailey Hanson (SDSU) def. Ada Hirschfeld (UCD), 74.75-73.25 [Phil]
Kylie Jacobson (UCD) def. Anna Minich (SDSU), 75-74 [Ellie Mae]
Reining
Hailey Hanson (SDSU) def. Nicole Shroyer (UCD), 65.25-65 [Wally]
Emma Riggs (SDSU) tied Ada Hirschfeld (UCD), 66.25-66.25 [Waldo]
Avery Adamson (UCD) def. Adisyn Kuxhaus (SDSU), 6.15-55.75 [Julip]
Lillie Wallis (SDSU) def. Mylea Trimble (UCD), 65.25-60.25 [Sugar]
Mya Clader (UCD) def. Maryn Mead (SDSU), 65.5-60.25
Notes: Scores based on average from two-judge panel; horses' names in brackets

-GoJacks.com-