WACO, Texas - No. 4 Baylor equestrian (10-3, 5-1 Big 12) will close its regular season by participating in the Fresno Invitational in Fresno, Calif. The Bears will face finish the full meet with Fresno State on Friday, March 18, starting at 12p.m. CT.

BU will play through the first half of the meet with South Dakota State on Friday, completing the second half on Saturday morning.

"The weekend will be a good warm up as we prepare for the Big 12 Conference Championship," said head coach Ellen White. "After having three straight home meets, it's good to go to an away meet to see how we perform in other arenas."

Despite having faced each other earlier this season, Coach White knows that this meet will be different since both teams have been able to mature as the season unraveled. In the previous meet, the Bears bested the Fresno State Bulldogs, 9-6.

"They are a strong team. When we competed at the beginning of the season, both teams had areas in which to work on since it was early. At this point, both teams have gotten a whole lot stronger," said White.

The last time the two sides faced off in Fresno, the Bulldogs took the victory, 8-7.

"Our riders are ready," said White. "We haven't rode on their horses in a while, so it is going to be interesting to see how we do."

The meet with South Dakota State will mark the first time the schools have faced each other since 2013. The Bears defeated the Jackrabbits, 12-4, at the Willis Invitational in Waco.

Fans can keep up with Baylor's equestrian team on Twitter by following the handle @BaylorEQ, and Coach White, @BUEQCoachWhite.

Invitational Info
Friday, March 18, 2016, 12 p.m. CT start, Fresno State & South Dakota State (1st half)
Saturday, March 19, 2016, South Dakota State (2nd half)
Student Horse Center
Fresno, Calif.

BAYLOR BEARS
2015-16 Record: (10-3, 5-1 Big 12)
Head Coach: Ellen White (11th season)

FRESNO STATE BULLDOGS
2015-16 Record: (3-8, 3-2 United)
Head Coach: Eric Hubbard (2nd season)

SOUTH DAKOTA STATE JACKRABBITS
2015-16 Record: (4-6, 2-2 United)
Head Coach: Ellie Wilkins (1st season)

#SicEm