Bulldog Riders Roll Over South Carolina 13-7

Dominant performances in the meet’s first two events gave the Georgia Equestrian team the margin It needed to post a 13-7 victory over SEC rival South Carolina at the Animal Science Arena here Saturday afternoon.

The Bulldogs improved to 5-1 this season and remained undefeated in four years of dual-meet competition at home.  It was also Georgia’s final home competition of the fall portion of its schedule.

“We just had a great day all around, but the Fences and Horsemanship were both fabulous,” said Georgia head coach Meghan Boenig.  “There were a lot of high scores, three of four MVPs, good support, a great atmosphere.  South Carolina came in and rode strong, but we were prepared and it showed.”

Led by an MVP ride from freshman Michelle Morris, Georgia took a 4-1 win in the English Equitation over Fences competition.  Morris, a native of La Canada, Calif., posted a 5-point win with a score of 85, the highest tally by any rider at the meet.  Other point winners over Fences included Kitt Ritter (82), Kacy Jenkins (81) and Hunt Seat stalwart Haylie Jayne (76).

“Haylie just had two phenomenal rides today,” Boenig said.  “And I’m not surprised by Michelle Morris’ score.  She’s one of several of our freshmen who just keep improving all the time.  I want to give kudos to our Horsemanship riders.  They really came out and dominated early in the meet.”

Indeed, the Bulldogs claimed an identical victory in the Horsemanship competition.  Senior Dana Kennedy took MVP honors with a 1.5-point margin, posting a score of 75.  Katelyn Van Allen (76), Laura Upton (75.5) and Alicia Shrum (73.5) also won points in Horsemanship.

South Carolina’s only victory came in Equitation on the Flat, where the Gamecocks edged Georgia by a 3-2 margin, despite yet another MVP ride from Jayne.  The Bulldogs closed out the victory by taking a 3-2 margin in Reining.  Hannah Dyer, Diandra St. Hilaire and senior co-captain Kate Stewart all posted winning rides.

The Bulldogs resume competition Friday, Nov. 21 at Baylor.  It will begin a 3-match, 3-day swing through Texas during which they’ll follow the Baylor meet with competitions at TCU and SMU.

University of Georgia Athletics

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