University of Georgia Athletics
Equestrian Sends Off Seniors, Welcomes Back Alumni
March 27, 2007 | Equestrian
“It was a beautiful weekend,” said head coach Meghan Boenig. “The Senior Day ceremony went so well. It was probably the best one we have ever had.”
Receiving recognition in this year’s senior festivities was Megan Darby, Brooke Davidson, Sarah Dunsmore, Logan Fiorentino, Tricia Fowler, Anna Hichborn, Leslie Immel and Kelly Winsco. This group has compiled an impressive resume over the past four seasons including a 33-3 record in dual meets, Georgia’s first undefeated regular season during the 2004-05 campaign, two Southern Equestrian Championships, one runner-up finish at the Varsity Equestrian National Championships and a national championship at the conclusion of the 2003-04 season.
Darby, a communications major and native of Snellville, Georgia, has averaged better than 72 points for the past two years in reining for the Bulldogs. Over the course of her senior season she collected two MVP awards – first against Baylor in the championship round of the Bulldog Invitational, then at the following meet against South Carolina. Darby’s highest scoring ride at Georgia came on Oct. 21 at New Mexico State when she posted a 77.5. Following graduation she plans to get married, move into her new house and start a career.
Davidson, a marketing education major who hails from Cumming, Georgia, has made a handful of rides for the Bulldogs in equitation on the flat. During the 2005-06 season she scored a 77 in the season opener against Kentucky which was six points better than her Wildcat opponent. This season, Davidson appeared in Georgia’s meet against Berry where she posted an 80.5 in equitation.
Dunsmore, a sports studies graduate student and native of Lincolnton, Georgia, has seen action in both the western horsemanship and reining events throughout her time at Georgia. At the 2004 Varsity Equestrian National Championships, Dunsmore led all Bulldog riders with an 85 in reining. She made 13 appearances during the 2004-05 season along with being named western co-captain and SEC Academic Honor Roll. Dunsmore has been a regular in the horsemanship lineup over the course of the 2006-07 season where she currently averages a 72.1. She joins Darby with two MVP honors on the year. Dunsmore will finish up her masters in sports management and plans to keep riding and eventually find a job in the sports field.
Fiorentino, a sports studies graduate student who comes from Lloyd Harbor, New York, has been an extremely active member of the Georgia equestrian team since the day she stepped foot in Athens. In just her first regular season Fiorentino made 13 rides – five in equitation on the flat and eight over fences. She capped off the 2004-05 season by winning her class over fences and placing sixth in equitation on the flat at the Varsity Equestrian National Championships along with being named part of the SEC Academic Honor Roll. Fiorentino continued to produce quality rides for the Bulldogs during her second year and was recognized for her contributions by being named English MVP of the Year by the coaches. She is currently tied for most wins over fences this season with four and has picked up two MVP awards in the same event. Fiorentino has also tallied four wins in equitation on the flat throughout the season where she averages a 76.9. Following graduation, she plans to pursue a career in sport marketing and talent management.
Fowler, a biology major and co-captain for the 2006-07 season, has competed in both western horsemanship and reining events over the course of her four seasons as a Bulldog. The Oxford, Georgia native started her career against Berry in horsemanship during the fall of 2003. In that same season she defeated her Kentucky opponent by a large margin of 23 points. In her second year, Fowler made eight rides in reining and three in horsemanship for Georgia. Her best performance of the season came against Auburn where she scored a 75.5. Following the 2004-05 campaign, Fowler was named part of the SEC Academic Honor Roll team. Last year, she posted the Bulldogs’ third-highest reining average with a 73.2. Following graduation, she will be attending the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine to become a large animal veterinarian.
Hichborn, an animal science major who hails from Ball Ground, Georgia, has steadily increased her ring time throughout the past four years and has proved to be a solid rider for the Bulldogs in her senior season. She is currently averaging a 69.4 in reining which is more than 10 points higher than her 2005-06 average. In addition, Hichborn is tied with a team-high eight wins this year. She began her career at Georgia by competing in both horsemanship and reining and eventually focused on just reining. At the conclusion of the 2004-05 season Hichborn was honored with the Sportsmanship Award at the team’s post-season banquet. Following graduation, she is set to attend the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.
Immel, a horticulture major who joins Fowler as co-captain, has been part of the Georgia equestrian team for three years. The Savannah, Georgia native joined the squad in late August of 2004 when the team conducted tryouts for the remaining open positions. That same season, Immel received both the Coaches Award as well as SEC Academic Honor Roll distinction. She competed twice for the Bulldogs in 2005-06 in equitation on the flat. Immel was, again, honored with the Coaches Award at the conclusion of the season. This year, she has collected wins in both equitation over fences and equitation on the flat where she scored a 78 and 72, respectively.
Winsco, an animal science major and native of Lawrenceville, Georgia, joined the Georgia equestrian team in August of 2004 during the team’s annual tryouts. That year she competed in horsemanship against Berry where she defeated her opponent by 12 points for the win. Winsco was also a member of the UGA Horse Judging team in 2005. She continued to have success against Berry during the 2005-06 season where she won with a 70.5 in horsemanship. Following graduation, Winsco plans to pursue a master’s degree in equine nutrition and exercise physiology at Texas A&M University.
The second additional activity at Saturday’s meet was the Alumni Challenge where the team comprised of current riders was out-battled by the alumni squad 2-1. The game, known as Bulldog Polo, features two teams of five along with one goalie. Each person carries a broom that is used to send the ball into the goal.
“There was a lot of tough competition that was definitely headed by Carly Veldman,” said Boenig.
The equestrian team begins post-season action Saturday, April 7, in Auburn, Ala. when it looks to defend its Southern Equestrian Championship. The Bulldogs will compete against the winner of Friday’s dual meet between South Carolina and Auburn.
