University of Georgia Athletics
Megan Southam Joins Bulldog Riders
May 04, 2011 | Equestrian
May 4, 2011
ATHENS ---- Megan Southam, an accomplished jumper from Langley, British Columbia, has signed a national letter-of-intent to attend the University of Georgia and ride next year for the Bulldogs, head Equestrian coach Meghan Boenig announced Wednesday.
Southam is currently completing her final year at Walnut Grove Secondary School in Langley, where she has maintained straight A's and been awarded the "A" Honour Roll With Distinction. She has also been awarded the Effort Honour Roll and School Community Service Awards at Walnut Grove.
"We are thrilled that Megan has decided to join our program," said UGA Hunt Seat assistant coach Logan Fiorentino. "She has the academic strength, athletic talent and Bulldog spirit that we look for in our student-athletes. We are excited to have another rider from Canada who also has international competition experience. She will make a great addition to our team and to the University of Georgia."
In the competition ring, Southam has amassed a slew of honors, including top placings in the 1.20-meter, 1.25-meter and 1.30-meter jumper classes at The Thunderbird Classic, Milner Downs Classic, and the prestigious Spruce Meadows North American horse shows. As a junior rider, she earned top ribbons in the Canadian Equestrian Team Medal, Jump Canada Medal, USEF Hunter Seat Medal, USEF Talent Search, ASPCA Maclay Regionals. In 2007 Southam had the distinction of being the youngest competitor in the Canadian Equestrian Team National Medal Finals, finishing 10th overall. In 2006, she was the only Canadian invited to compete at the National Children's Medal Finals at the Capital Challenge Horse Show (Maryland).
Southam is currently training with Brent and Laura Balisky and Laura Tidball at Thunderbird Show Stables in Langley.
The 2011 Bulldogs featured a pair of prominent riders from Canada, both in the Western discipline: reiners Diandra St. Hilaire and Kelly Truesdell.
Southam becomes the third rider to sign with the Bulldogs during the spring signing period, which began April 20 and will conclude Aug. 1. Last week, Hunt Seat specialist Hannah Spiegler of Mechanicsville, Va., and Morgan Justiss of Alpharetta also joined the Georgia program.
