SACRAMENTO, Calif. – St. Francis senior Elizabeth Stodden has been on horses for as long as she can remember and her talent on them is taking her to Fresno State to compete for the Bulldogs.

“I definitely did not think (riding horses) would lead me to college,” said Stodden. “It is super cool. I have done it competitively but it was a passion and fun thing to do. I used to play soccer but I enjoy riding way more.”

Stodden, who trains at Jem Stables in Dixon and lives in Davis, first started taking riding lessons in the second grade, continuing for five years. She moved to a more competitive barn in the sixth grade and eventually bought her own horse, Lonan.

They have been riding together over the last four seasons.

She participated in the 2017 West Coast Children’s Hunter Championship, earning a silver medal with a second-place team finish. She also placed second individually at the WCC Hinter’s Championship. Other top performances with Lona include finishing fifth at the 2017 Horse and Hound Finals and garnering top honors in the 3′3 classic at the 2017 HITS Coachella.

Stodden will join the Bulldog team this fall that reached the National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) quarterfinals in 2017.

“I am super excited to be joining the Fresno State team,” said Stodden. “I am really looking forward to being a part of a team in a sport that can also be so individual. I can’t wait to see what is to come, go Bulldogs!”

Stodden, who is undeclared maybe speech therapy, did not expect to be attending college in-state, but a connection led her to a conversation with Assistant Coach Caitlyn Marshall.

“In all my college searching, I did not want to stay in state,” recalls Stodden. “But last summer my trainer connected me with Fresno State. It was worth reaching out and talking to Caitlyn. In October I had a scholarship offer. After taking a visit, I really liked it on campus and felt at home. They are the only school with a barn on campus, which was a plus. It is a big school but everything is really accessible.”

The school, which boasts their own Farmer’s Market on campus, also has their own stable of horses so Lonan will be staying in Dixon.

“It is sad but I don’t think I could do it all,” said Stodden of bringing Lonan to Fresno. “The fact I get to continue riding in college is an added bonus. It is something I love and takes a lot of my time now. I could not imagine not having it in college.”

She will miss special events like Homecoming and Holy Hoops and but will add one before she graduates. She will participate in the St. Francis Signing Day event on April 11 at 8:30 a.m.