University of Georgia Athletics
Georgia Equestrian Was Always the Dream
February 05, 2015 | Equestrian
By Karra Logan
"Sara, look at this!" Tonja Parr said as she held up the newspaper to show her then 8-year-old daughter the headlines. The University of Georgia was announcing the addition of an equestrian team to their athletic program. Sara confidently responded, "Mom, I'm going to ride at UGA when I get big!" Tonja recalls Sara marching to her room with the article from the paper in hand and pinning it to her wall, "I'll never forget that moment," she said.
Sara Parr had started riding horses at age 3. Her dad gave her a western saddle at age 4 and that's when she decided she wanted to be a cowgirl. Then in 2001, Georgia added the equestrian team to its athletic program and she set her sights on being a Bulldog. Fast-forward to 2015, Sara Parr is now a western rider, competing in horsemanship, in the midst of her senior season here at Georgia. Georgia equestrian was the dream for this Social Circle native, but she never imagined her time in Athens would be this great.
Parr still has the newspaper clipping of Georgia's announcement of the equestrian team addition tacked up on her wall and the mouse pad she received at the inaugural meet in her keepsakes.
Parr recalls the experience of attending the University of Georgia's Inaugural Equestrian meet in 2001: "I remember going to that first meet. It's always been Georgia, especially when they got the equestrian team," Sara said. During that year and the many that followed before she became a Bulldog, Tonja Parr says that Sara was "in awe of the riders. We would sit and watch for hours. She would stand in line to get a signature and to speak to a UGA equestrian, and if she got picture, Wow!" Lots of hard work, dedication, determination and focus has led Sara to this point, "I started riding ponies, to riding horses, and the rest is history," Sara says.
The sport of equestrian changes for the riders once they reach the college level- transitioning from individual competition to a team sport. "There are other girls you're competing for. It's not just an individual sport anymore. You get to cheer for your teammates." Parr says it's hard to put into words what being a Georgia Equestrian has meant to her. "It's more than I could have imagined. [Fans] don't see the camaraderie we have at meets when we're in the ring. These girls are my sisters. To have these life-long relationships- that's my favorite part."
When asked what her biggest accomplishment as a Bulldog is, Sara emphasized that winning Nationals has been the biggest accomplishment for the team, not putting focus on herself. She mentioned how meaningful the title is especially after being crowned champions and having that revoked after a point recount at the SEC Championship against South Carolina last year.
"We were able to come back stronger at Nationals and it all paid off." She recalls receiving her ring at the beginning of this season: "I couldn't believe it! My hands were shaking so much that I dropped it. I looked at the ring and just thought, `yeah this is real'."
And although her time as a Bulldog is slowly coming to an end, Parr says, "I don't know if I'll ever leave Athens." She says being a senior is a surreal feeling and that she feels obligated to pass down knowledge. "I just want to help the freshmen have the right mindset, goals and passion." Parr's advice to the underclassmen or girls who dream about being on the team one day is to not let a bad ride define you as a rider. Keep going. As far as balancing the roles of both student and athlete she says, "time management is key."
Parr uses her own advice when preparing for meets. "My goal is to go out there and have the best ride on the horse I'm given for my team. I try to not focus on who we're competing against and just go out there and have my best ride."
Georgia Equestrian has a big meet this weekend as they take on SEC foe, South Carolina at home in Bishop. Parr says, "we have to win each day. That's when we will do well."
Karra Logan is a graduate student from Langhorne, Pa., who is pursing a master's degree in Sports Management. She attended Rutgers University and received a bachelor's degree in Communications in 2012. She is in her first year as a student assistant with the UGA Sports Communications office.
"Coming Attractions" is a weekly feature published on georgiadogs.com spotlighting a UGA student-athlete who will be competing in a key home event during the upcoming weekend. Previous stories include:
August 28 - David Andrews (football vs. Clemson)
September 4 - Carly Hamilton (cross country in Bulldog Invitational)
September 11 - Tirah Leau (volleyball in Benson Hospitality Invitational)
September 18 - Mariel Gutierrez (soccer vs. Vanderbilt)
September 25 - Toby Johnson (football vs. Tennessee)
October 2 - Emma Sonnett (soccer vs. Tennessee)
October 9 - Jared Markham (swimming & diving vs. Alabama)
October 16 - Gaby Smiley (volleyball vs. Kentucky and Tennessee)
October 23 - Bella Hartley (soccer vs. Kentucky)
October 30 - Olivia Ball & Ian Forlini (swimming & diving vs. Florida)
November 6 - Megan Spencer (volleyball vs. Arkansas)
November 13 - Kolton Houston (football vs. Auburn)
November 20 - Yante Maten (men's basketball vs. Troy & FAU)
November 27 - Damian Swann (football vs. Georgia Tech)
December 4 - Marjorie Butler (women's basketball vs. Michigan State)
December 18 - Tiaria Griffin (women's basketball vs. Furman)
December 25 - International Bulldogs (men's basketball vs. Mercer)
January 7 - Maddie Locus (women's swimming & diving vs. Texas)
January 14 - Shacobia Barbee (women's basketball vs. Vanderbilt)
January 21 - Caroline Brinson (women's tennis in ITA Kickoff Weekend)
January 28 - Nathan Pasha (men's tennis vs. UCLA and Southern Cal)