University of Georgia Athletics
2016-17 Georgia Equestrian Season Preview
September 15, 2016 | Equestrian
ATHENS, Ga. --- The 2016 Georgia equestrian team looks to continue its legacy of being one of the best programs in the country in the 2016-17 campaign. After finishing with a 10-2 dual-meet record including a 4-2 mark in Southeastern Conference play, the Bulldogs finished second in the SEC and tied for third at the NCEA National Championship. This year's roster includes several All-American and All-SEC selections, as well as a freshman class with impressive resumes, adding depth to the Georgia lineup.
"This is an exciting year for us because we are building on incredible strength from last year," head coach Meghan Boenig said. "Our senior class has set an incredible pace and work ethic. Our freshman class is very talented and excited, and so is everyone in between. To have the depth that we have makes for the works of an incredible team that is prepared and ready to exceed expectations."
The schedule includes 13 regular-season competitions, including six against Southeastern Conference teams. The 2016-17 SEC Championship will be held March 24-25 in Auburn, Ala. The season will conclude April 12-15 at the NCEA Championship in Waco, Texas.
Hunt Seat
The Hunt Seat squad returns several familiar faces to the arena. All-SEC selections in Equitation on the Flat and Equitation Over Fences Liza Finsness and Meg O'Mara will be back in action for Georgia. Finsness posted a Flat record of 13-3, a record of 8-7 in Fences and was named SEC Rider of the Year in Equitation on the Flat. O'Mara returns after a 8-4 record in Fences and a 10-6 record on the Flat, including a perfect 4-0 post season. O'Mara was named to the SEC and NCEA All-Championship Teams in Equitation on the Flat and SEC Rider of the Year in Equitation Over Fences.
All-SEC Team selection for Equitation Over Fences Addy Cord rounds out key returners in the Hunt Seat arena. Cord went 11-4 and rode to a season high 88 in the home opener against Texas A&M.
Western
In Horsemanship, SEC Rider of the Year Bailey Anderson returns to action after going 12-4 on the season and earning three MVP honors. SEC Freshman of the Year in Reining Graysen Stroud returns for both Western disciplines this season. Stroud went 5-4 in Reining during the regular season in addition to riding to a 3-3 regular season record in Horsemanship, earning one MVP award in each event.
Kyndall Harper and Claudia Spreng are key returning Reiners for Georgia this season. Harper was selected to the All-SEC Team after posting a 12-4 record and two MVP honors. Spreng went 7-6 on the year and earned three MVP honors, two of which were against SEC opponents.
HOW TO FOLLOW GEORGIA EQUESTRIAN: For complete information on Georgia soccer, follow the team on its social media channels via @UGAEquestrian on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
