Equestrian Gets Top Recruits

May 16, 2005

The Georgia equestrian team roped in four top Western recruits this spring who could be key players in the Bulldogs' bid to reclaim the national title in 2005-06. Kate Stewart, Kelley Mundrick, Kelly McDonald, and Sarah Ashcraft all come to the team as highly accomplished and decorated riders.

Stewart is a native of Dawson, Georgia and has a rich equine history. She has ridden and shown Working Cowhorse and Reiners for more than eight years and her equestrian honors include: 2004 NRHA Top 10 14-18 Division, 2001 and 2000 NRCHA Champion and Reserve Champion Non-Pro Hackamore Division, and Top 10 AQHA Working Cowhorse.

Kate Stewart

"I believe that Kate will add tremendously to our team right from the start with her strong background in Working Cowhorse and Reining and hopefully she will begin to fill the void left by losing Morgan Strauss this year," associate head coach Beth Bass said. "Kate's father is a professional trainer, giving her the opportunity to ride a large variety of horses which will benefit her in the collegiate arena. She has also had some experience in Horsemanship and that will round out her abilities."

Stewart graduated from Terrell Academy with a 4.0 GPA and was granted early admissions into UGA. She intends to pursue a degree in Physical Therapy or Pre-Vet.

"Kate is one of the most versatile western recruits that we have ever signed and I think she will be a strong player in the arena as well as the classroom," Bass said.

Mundrick also comes to Georgia from the Bulldogs' own backyard as a graduate of Duluth High School in Duluth, Ga. Her equestrian honors include designations as 2005 and 2004 AQHYA World Show Qualifier, 2005 Dixie Nationals and Gold Coast Champion, GQHA All-Around Champion, 2004 HQHA Congress NYATT team, 2003 GQHA Congress NYATT team, and 2003 Congress Semifinalist.

Kelly McDonald

"Kelley has had the opportunity to show a couple of different horses lately and is becoming a more well-rounded rider while continuing to become more competitive in several events and disciplines," Bass said. "She is currently showing on the national level and has recently had some big wins at large circuits. I look for her to strengthen our horsemanship line-up as well as be a strong team player."

Mundrick will enter as a Pre-Business major.

McDonald attended the Clonlara School in Michigan and her equestrian honors include designations as 2003 AQHYA World Show Qualifier, 2003 GQHA Congress Team, and 2003 Congress Top Ten. She intends to pursue a degree in Physical Therapy.

"Kelly has most recently been competitive in the Quarter Horse Huntseat arena but I am looking for her to be a strong horsemanship rider for us," Bass said. "She has done the all- around and she also has some dressage background. This will be an asset because our current format has us riding horsemanship tests set in a dressage arena. She will have a head start on some of the other freshmen in feeling more comfortable with our competitions."

Sarah Ashcroft

Last but not least, Ashcraft, another homegrown recruit, comes to the Bulldogs from Milton High School in Alpharetta, Ga. She is currently on the APHA Top 20 Youth list and her honors include APHA Youth Champion, APHA Youth Versatility Award, and serving as AjPHA National Officer for 3 years. She intends to major in Animal Science.

"Sarah has had the opportunity to show on a national level on a couple of different all-around horses and that experience will bode well for her during her collegiate career," Bass said. "She may also be able to transition into the reining event with some training. I am impressed by her leadership in AjPHA and will look for her to be a leader at the University of Georgia as well."

University of Georgia Athletics

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