University of Georgia Athletics
Equestrian Adds Nine English Riders For 2007-08
April 30, 2007 | Equestrian
ATHENS, Ga. --- The University of Georgia equestrian team welcomes nine English riders for the 2007-08 signing class as announced by head coach Meghan Boenig Monday.
“We are very excited to have such a big class coming in,” said Boenig. “I think this group will help round out our current team and will provide good diversity. They have some big shoes to fill, so we are expecting a lot from them.”
Joining the Bulldogs next season is GiGi Tryon, Kacy Jenkins, Amy Klebesadel, Emily Jones, Morgan Pierson, Emily Furbish, Alison Slutsky, Kaitlin Keane and Alexa Lieppe. All have great riding backgrounds with some predicted to make immediate impacts in the ring for Georgia.
Tryon, a highly skilled equestrian from Florida, comes to Athens with quite a decorated resume. She has qualified for the Medal Finals and Maclay for four consecutive years and the USET Finals in 2006. Tryon is currently five points away from qualifying for the USET this year. In addition, she ranked 21st in the nation in 2005 in Younger Large Junior Hunter, was reserve champion in the RMI Mid-Florida series for Younger Large Juniors, was sixth at Washington in the Younger Large Juniors and was honored with the 2002 GOHJA Junior Sportsmanship Award.
Jenkins (pictured left), who hails from Potomac Falls, Va., joins the Bulldogs with a long list of accomplishments. She has been champion and reserve champion at numerous shows including Pennsylvania National, Upperville, Middleburg Classic and Blowing Rock. Jenkins was named Best Child Rider on a Junior Hunter at seven different shows throughout the 2005 and 2006 seasons. In 2005, she was third in the country for the Small Junior 16-17 age group and was ranked in the top five on three different horses in the Small Junior and Large Junior in 2006.
“I think these two riders, along with prior signee Kitt Ritter, will have immediate impacts for us,” said Boenig. “GiGi is such an accomplished rider who we are so lucky to have. Kacy has such great sportsmanship along with the drive to do well. She also comes with such a huge show record.”
Klebesadel comes all the way from Agoura Hills, Calif. to ride for the Bulldogs. She was a two-time winner of the US Equestrian Show Jumping Talent Search Medal Class and the 2004-05 Varsity Jumper Champion in her high school IEL League. Klebesadel was the 2004 PCHA Children’s Jumper Reserve Champion along with the 2004 Gold Coast Series Reserve Champion Children’s Jumper. “Amy has such great experiences already along with a lot of diversity in her showing that should help her adjust to all of the diverse mounts she will come across with us,” said Boenig.
Jones, the second recruit from Florida, has wins in Medal, WIHS and Maclay classes. In addition, she has more than two wins in recognized fence classes of 3’3” or higher. She brings more the four years of riding experience to Georgia.
Pierson (pictured right), who hails from Atlanta, is the first of five in-state riders to join the Bulldogs. In 2005, she finished seventh in the J.D. Pounds Medal and first in the Junior/Senior Challenge at the GHJA Grand Finale and seventh in year-end points in the 15-17 age group that same year after showing just three times. Pierson currently attends the Lovett School where she made the Scholars List during her sophomore and junior years.
“Emily and Morgan both have such a great passion for Georgia that they showed me in their hard work and determination to get here,” said Boenig.
Furbish, a native of Norcross, Ga., comes to the University with more than four years of riding experience. Her accomplishments include 2005 GHJA 15-17 Equitation Champion, 2005 AJHF Junior Hunter Regional Reserve Champion, 2005 RMI Equitation Reserve Champion, Corona/Lexol Equitation Challenge winner and 2005 GHJA Junior/Senior Hunter finalist. In 2004, Furbish was a J.D. Pounds Equitation finalist, GHJA Green Hunter finalist, GHJA Working Hunter Reserve Champion and GHJA Equitation Reserve Champion. She is currently enrolled at the Marist School where she is an honors student.
Slutsky (pictured left), another local product from Covington, Ga., also has more than four years of equestrian experience. In 2005, she was the AAHJA Junior Medal Finals Champion and finished third in the Stacey Ann Boe Equitation Challenge on the flat. Slutsky was the 2002 AAHJA Pony Medal Finals Reserve Champion while taking home sixth-place honors in the USPC Nationals in the Junior Games during the same year. In addition, she has had numerous top finishes at USEF-rated shows including Show Circuit National Children’s Medal, Maclay and USEF Junior Medal. Slutsky, a Newton High School Honors Student, has been recognized as a Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership nominee as well as a Who’s Who Among American High School Students.
Keane, who comes from Alpharetta, Ga., has placed well in Junior Hunters at both Blowing Rock and Biltmore. She is currently attending Milton High School.
Lieppe (pictured right), the final English signee, comes to the University from Atlanta. In 2006, she placed first at Biltmore and first at the USEF Pessoa Medal. Lieppe ranked nationally for the Show Circuit Magazine National Children’s Medal.
“Emily, Alison, Kaitlin and Alexa are all local riders who are going to be great teammates,” said Boenig. “They all have great personalities and are talented riders. I am excited to have them as additions to our team.”
