University of Georgia Athletics
Bulldogs to Travel to Meet South Carolina Gamecocks
October 19, 2005 | Equestrian
Oct. 19, 2005
The Georgia equestrian team (2-0) will travel to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks at their home arena on Oct. 22 after narrowly defeating the defending national champions 411- 407 in the championship round of the recent Big Eight English Tournament held in Athens. The dual meet starts at 2:00 p.m.
Georgia head coach Meghan Boenig projects that the competition will be the Bulldogs' toughest head-to-head competition this season.
"USC is really being recognized as a national powerhouse," Boenig said. "We've always known that, but now they're finally putting the stamp on it. We know they're going to be hungry after losing at the Big Eight."
Georgia used a combination of veterans and newcomers to pull out the Big Eight victory. Boenig hopes to see more consistency from her English riders as they go on the road for the first time this season.
"We already have stellar rides," Boenig said. "We just need to make sure they are stellar every single time."
In past years the Bulldogs have relied heavily on the Western discipline to pull out wins at the Gamecocks' home facility. Boenig believes this year should be no different.
"I feel pretty confident in our Western strength," she said. "However, I do know that USC's Western program has been building and we have some new faces as well."
Many of Georgia's riders are still learning to manage a new intensity of pressure as they make the transition from competing as individuals to riding for a varsity team at the national level.
"We have had tremendous stress and we just need to focus it," Boenig said. "The girls know they are carrying all 69 members of the team on every single ride. They value the team and hold it sacred so it's a lot more meaningful to them than their previous competitive experiences."
The meet will be contested at One Wood Farm in Blythewood, S.C., just outside of Columbia. To reach the event take I-77 N. to Exit 27, which is Blythewood Rd. Turn left back over the interstate and pass the University Club. Then turn right on the first road on the right, which is Syrup Mill Road. One Wood Farm is the first driveway on the left.
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