University of Georgia Athletics
Spotlight on the Georgia Equestrian Horses
November 03, 2006 | Equestrian
ATHENS, Ga. – Often overlooked, but certainly not underappreciated, are the dependable and skilled horses that make having a varsity equestrian team possible.
Many of the horses at the University of Georgia, and at other varsity equestrian programs throughout the country, are provided through community donations. This is an extremely selective process because they have to be safe and suitable for whoever gets on them. Here at Georgia, each horse goes through a trial period with the team to make sure they fit the needs of the program and are, indeed, safe and suitable for all riders.
Members of the Georgia equestrian team are extremely happy about the horses they get to ride every day and have found qualities in each that they love.
“I think we have the best all-around horses out of any school we’ve competed against,” said sophomore Kate Stewart. “Of all our horses I would say Sweed is my favorite because I have been around him a long time, and he has always done well for me.”
Seniors Anna Hichborn and Tricia Fowler have both found favorites in Cowboy and Whiz.
Hichborn said, “Cowboy has the best personality. He acts like a person, and I can tell he recognizes me. He also tries very hard in competition if he likes you.”
“Whiz is such a laid back horse,” said Fowler. “Whenever I am having a bad day I know I can have a good ride on him.”
Junior Kelly Bonau chose Orlando as her favorite because of his personality, manerism around the barn and challenges he gives to the rider. "Some days he is good and other days he makes you work hard," said Bonau. "I learn something new from him every day."
Also receiving rave reviews was Abner who senior Heather Brown said, “is extremely cute and has such a great personality."
Currently, the University of Georgia stands 43 head of horses, 38 of which were donated. They are an extremely talented and diverse string whose heights and breeds are very discipline specific. The heights of the horses at Georgia range from 14 hands (one hand equals four inches) to just under 18 hands. The larger, Warmblood and Thoroughbred horses are used mostly for the hunt seat events and the smaller, American Quarter Horses spend the majority of the time in the western events. The Bulldogs have 25 horses that compete over fences and on the flat, 10 who compete in reining and eight responsible for the reining duties.
Oscar, a 12-year-old bay Warmblood gelding donated by Mike Perrin, was selected as Horse of the Year over Fences. The award is voted on by all the teams that qualify to compete at the national championships in the spring.
At all equestrian meets, the host school is responsible for providing the visiting team, or teams, with horses for the competition. When traveling to UGA, other coaches often praise how well prepared the horses are. This is in large part due to the qualified and dedicated support staff that works with these animals day in and day out.
“We have an incredible support staff for our horses and riders,” said head coach Meghan Boenig.
Amber Bradley, who serves as the barn manager, is responsible for monitoring the overall health, well-being and care of the horses.
“Amber watches those horses as if they were her own,” said Boenig. “She takes such good care of them.”
Joining Bradley in supporting the horses is Wayne Nunn, Casey Rice, Paul Cline, Nick Carden, Dr. Randy Eggleston, of the UGA School of Veterinary Medicine, and Dr. Kari Turner, Associate Professor of Animal Science. Nunn and Rice serve as the team farriers, who are responsible for taking care of the shoes on the horses. Cline is a graduate assistant with the program, and Carden is the Animal Science Arena manager.
The Georgia equestrian team will travel to Auburn to take on the defending national champions on November 10.
