Georgia Signs 11 Riders for 2019-20

ATHENS, Ga. --- Georgia equestrian head coach Meghan Boenig has announced that 11 riders have signed a National Letter of Intent to continue their riding careers and education at the University of Georgia beginning the 2019-2020 school year.

The signed riders include: McKenzie Aebi, Ceci Bresch, Kennedy Bryant, Grace Himes, Tori Kendle, Caitlin Lyons, Bay Noland-Armstrong, Sophia Pilla, Ada Rohan, Julia Stone, and Hazel Taylor.

"What an exciting recruiting class we have for the 2019 year," Boenig said. "We have incredible talent, leadership, and most importantly, academic strength. We know that these Bulldogs ensure a bright future and we are happy to welcome them to the Georgia family."

McKenzie Aebi | Western | Dhahian, Saudi Arabia
Aebi signs with Georgia after being named the National IEA Champion. She took a gap year in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia to train and ride before she arrives in Athens. In the Heart of Dixie Reining and Florida Reining competitions, Aebi has won multiple classes and ended as Champion in the Green Level 1 and 2, winning the Saddle series and Reserve Champion in the Youth.

"Mckenzie joins the Georgia Equestrian team as a National IEA Champion, competition based on catch riding," assistant coach Anna Becker said. "Her ability to adapt to many different horses, along with her strong work ethic and dedication to the sport will make her an incredible asset."

Celia Bresch | Hunter Seat | Barrington, Illinois
Bresch comes to Georgia after being named the NCEA Junior Medal Midwest Champion. She earned a Team Bronze at the 2017 Zone Jumper Finals as well as fifth place (2016) and fourth place (2017) finishes at IHJA Junior Medal Finals. She also qualified for the USEF Medal and Macly Regionals in 2016, 2017, and 2018.

"Ceci is joining the Georgia Equestrian team with some great college experience already as one of the recent winners of an NCEA Equitation Final for junior riders," assistant coach Anna Becker said. "As the winner she was able to make it through Fences, Flat, and catch-riding rounds and shined to the top. That finish, amongst many others, show that Ceci can make an impact here at Georgia with her experience and poise."

Kennedy Bryant | Western | South Padre Island, Texas
Secretary of the National Honor Society at her high school, Bryant signs with the Bulldogs after earning Rookie of the Year at Level 1 and Level 2. She also plays tennis winning doubles at the district tournament, is in the Top Ten Percent and a member of the Junior Board. She qualified for the North American Affiliate Championship in the Non Pro, Limited and Intermediate Non Pro.

"Kennedy has many accomplishments in the ring that will be sure to set her up for success in college riding," assistant coach Sara Parr said. "Her ability to balance riding and athletics all while maintaining a high GPA sets her up for success here at Georgia."

Grace Himes | Western | Bristol, Indiana
Himes comes to UGA as the unanimous champion of the 2018 World Show in Showmanship, in addition to multiple Reserve Champion, Top 5, Top 10, and finalist titles at the All American Quarter Horse Congress in Horsemanship, Showmanship, Equitation, and Trail. She is a Horsemanship finalist and finished seventh in Equitation in 2018. A National Honor Society member, Himes is currently ranked in the top 10 in her events (Horsemanship, Showmanship, and Equitation) at the year-end of AQHA circuit.

"We are very excited to welcome Gracie to the Georgia Equestrian family," Parr said. "She is a true all-around competitor with multiple Reserve Champions, Top 5, Top 10 and Finalist titles in horsemanship, showmanship and equitation. Her hard work in the arena and in the classroom will definitely shine during her time at Georgia."

Tori Kendle | Western | New Albany, Ohio
Kendle comes to Georgia with numerous top finishes under her belt, including Top 10 and Top 15 finishes at Congress, numerous all-around and circuit awards, and Top 10 Year-End finishes in the AQHA. Kendle has also finished in the Top 10 in multiple classes in Level 2 at AQHA Youth World Show. Additionally, Kendle is an honor student maintaining a 4.1 GPA.

"Tori comes to Georgia placing amongst the top at the most prestigious horse shows in the country," Parr said. "Her ability to compete at such a high level along with maintaining a rigorous course load will make her an asset at Georgia."

Caitlin Lyons | Western | Mead, Washington
Lyons signs with Georgia after finishing fourth at the AQHYA World Show twice in both Reined Cowhorse and Fence work. At the NRCHA Celebration of Champions, she finished sixth in Boxing. Her most recent accomplishment was winning the Showmanship at the Level 1 Championships in Vegas.

"Caitlin comes to Georgia with success in both the all-around and reined cow horse events," Parr said. "Her ability to adapt between the disciplines is sure to set her up for success here at Georgia. Her positive attitude and warm personality will make her a great teammate and we look forward to having her here next year."

Bay Noland-Armstrong | Hunter Seat | Harrison Township, Michigan
Noland-Armstrong comes to UGA after finishing in the top 25 at the 2018 Maclay Finals, competing in the 2018 USEF Medal Finals, receiving the Judges Choice Award at the 2018 New England Equitation Championships, competing in the 2017 USEF Medal Finals, and finishing in top 30 at the 2017 Maclay Finals. She also placed in Medal and Maclay at the 2018 Devon Horse Show and earned multiple ribbons during the 2018 WEF circut.

"Bay is an equitation competitor who works with one of the top trainers in the country," Becker said. "She has dedicated her last junior year to riding while taking a gap year between high school and starting her time here at Georgia. Bay has had recent success at top shows this year and is one of the most personable and friendly people to all who meet her. Bay will be a great teammate here at Georgia and we look forward to her arrival in Athens."

Sophia Pilla | Hunter Seat | Ridgefield, Connecticut
Sophia Pilla comes to Georgia with top finishes in the equitation, hunters, and jumpers at premier shows across the country including the Washington International Horse Show and the National Horse Show in Kentucky. In 2018, she won the Overall Washington Equitation in Lake Placid and the Maclay in Wellington, which qualified her to compete in the George Morris Equitation Championship. Sophia also won multiple championships in the Junior Jumpers in 2018, which qualified her for the US Jumper Championship in Washington where she took second in the speed round. Sophia finished in the top 25 at USEF Medal Finals in 2017, and was 4th and 12th at the Zone 1 Maclay Regionals in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Sophia was also a two-time National Champion in the Junior Hunters at Devon in 2015.

"Sophia has many accomplishments in the equitation and jumpers that will most definitely set her up for success in college riding," Becker said. "She has had top finishes at indoor finals, as well as top shows across the east coast. Her hard work in the show ring and in the classroom will definitely shine here right away."

Ada Rohan | Hunter Seat | Montpelier, Vermont
Rohan becomes a Bulldog after placing top 25 at the 2017 NEEC and qualifying for the Maclay Regionals and Finals. In 2018 alone she qualified for the Dover USEF Medal Finals, ASPCA Maclay Regionals, NEHC Medal Finals, MHC Medal Finals, and MHU Medal Finals. Rohan placed third at the MHC Finals in 2016 and EAP Nationals in 2017, 2018, as well as a second place finish at the 2018 MHJ Finals. She was on the Bronze Medal team in the Challenge of the States at the New England Equitation Championships (NEEC). Additionally at NEEC, she was a finalist in the Katie Battison Horsemanship Competition.

"Ada is a true equitation veteran with years of experience as well as some wonderful horsemanship skills which have helped her achieve top finishes within the EAP programs," Becker said. "Her time at the top equitation finals as well and her dedication to this sport in her recent gap year after high school graduation will definitely help her make an impact here at UGA."

Julia Stone | Hunter Seat | Santa Barbara, California
Graduating Cum Laude and a member of the National Honor Society, Stone brings top placings at WEF in BigEq Medals to Georgia. She was the Flintridge Best Junior Rider Award winner two years in a row, as well as the SFHJA 17 & under Medal Final Champion and Camelot Hunter Challenge Champion.

"Julia is coming to Georgia with a wide array of accomplishments," Becker said. "Not only is she a well decorated and talented rider with a recent top finish in the West Coast 3'3" Jumping Seat Finals, but she also is so incredibly strong in the classroom. Her brains, her bronze, and her wonderfully positive attitude are a true sign that Julia will do great things here at Georgia."

Hazel Taylor | Hunter Seat | Rising Fawn, Georgia
Taylor signs with Georgia with multiple top HITS finishes, including first place finishes at the HITS Ocala Jr/Am 1.25 Classic and multiple HITS 3'6" Junior Champion awards.

"Hazel brings a vast amount of experience as both a top catch rider but also an experienced working student for several trainers," Becker said. "Her adaptability to new horses will help her shine here on a college team, as well as her work ethic and dedication to this special sport. Hazel is also the daughter of Georgia alumni so we are happy to have her continue the Georgia tradition within her family of Bulldogs."

University of Georgia Athletics

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