Georgia Equestrian Signs 12 Riders in the Class of 2022
November 10, 2021 | Equestrian
ATHENS, Ga.— University of Georgia equestrian head coach Meghan Boenig has announced that 12 riders have signed a National Letter of Intent to continue their riding careers and education at UGA beginning in the 2022-23 school year.
The signed riders include: Maggie Bresch (Barrington, Ill.), Tessa Brown (Bloomfield, Conn.), Kinsey Cooper (Montrose, Ga.), Isabella David (Holmdel, N.J.), Alyvia Dixon (Hickory Corners, Mich.), Ella Duffy (Marietta, Ga.), Quinn Eisenfield (Scottsdale, Ariz.), Shelby Lynch (McLean, Ill.), Kendall McClintock (Galena, Ohio), Aphrodite Papandreou (Houston, Texas), Hailey Royce (Wellington, Fla.), and Raegan Shepherd (Clayton, N.C.).
"We are absolutely thrilled with the passion, enthusiasm, talent and drive seen in our incoming class of Georgia Equestrians," Georgia head coach Meghan Boenig said. "Coach Becker and Coach Lantz have been key in securing an extraordinary group who will have an immediate impact on the team from both inside and outside of the arena. Each student-athlete in this group is a team player committed to making Georgia the best. We are very excited to welcome them home!"
Maggie Bresch | Jumping Seat | Barrington, Ill.
Maggie Bresch signs with Georgia after participating in the Gold Star Clinic in 2021 at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in Florida. She placed fifth in the Midwest NCEA Hunt Seat Medal Finals in 2020 and 2021 at Lamplight Equestrian Center in Illinois. She was named the high point rider in 2020 for the Marshall and Sterling Junior Medal, which she earned after a culmination of her shows throughout the year. She qualified for and competed in the USEF Medal Finals in 2019, 2020 and 2021. She is the sister of current UGA rider Ceci Bresch, making them the fifth sister duo in UGA equestrian history.
"Maggie is coming to Georgia with a ton of experience in all 3 rings - hunters, equitation, and jumpers," assistant Jumping Seat coach Anna Becker said. "Not only does she have a wealth of experience at the top level, but she is already very familiar with the NCEA format because of her sister, Ceci, who is currently a junior on our team. Maggie is no stranger to hard work, great academics, and competitive pressure in the show ring. Her ability to get along with all types of horses, her knowledge of what it means to be a good teammate, as well as her positive mindset will be a great asset to our team. The Bresch Family has been a huge part of our program for the last three years and we are so thrilled to add Maggie to our UGA Equestrian Family for another four years."
Tessa Brown | Jumping Seat | Bloomfield, Conn.
Tessa Brown signs with UGA after winning the 2020 WIHS Equitation Final along with being named the best junior rider. She also finished fourth at the ASPCA Maclay Finals in 2021, fourth at the 2019 USEF Medal Finals, and 11th at the 2021 USEF Medal Finals. She was a member of the Prix De States Junior Jumper Team that earned the team Gold Medal in 2020 at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show. Brown also finished second in the 2021 New England Equitation Championship.
"Tess has a long list of accomplishments in both her riding and academic careers," Becker said. "Not only has she won a prestigious Equitation Final at the Washington International Horse Show, along with top placings in several others, but she also has maintained an outstanding GPA and a wonderful reputation in the industry. The success that Tess has had from a young age is a testament to her work ethic, composure under pressure, and commitment to the sport and her horses. Her positive attitude and ability to always commend her horses for their effort are all characteristics that will make her a wonderful teammate and leader. We know that she will be an outstanding student-athlete here at Georgia. We are so thankful that Tess chose Georgia, and cannot wait to see what she accomplishes in her time here."
Kinsey Cooper | Western | Montrose, Ga.
Kinsey Cooper signs with the Bulldogs after being named the 2021 IEA Region 4 Individual Horsemanship and Team Reining Champion as well as the 2021 IEA Reserve National Champion Individual Reining and National Champion Team. She was the 2020 GFSC Reining 19 and under champion and 2020 HDRHA Youth 14-18 Highpoint Rider. In 2019 Cooper was named the 4-H Southern Regionals Reining Champion and the SE ARC Green Reiner 1 Highpoint Rider.
"We could not be more excited to welcome this incredible Georgia native," assistant Western coach McKenzie Lantz Breuker said. "Kinsey comes to us with not only an outstanding riding resume, but also tremendous academics. Her involvement through the FFA on a national level will provide her with excellent leadership qualities that we look for here at Georgia. Her beaming personality and passion for this sport were contagious during the recruiting process. Kinsey was born into a Bulldog family and we are so excited to see her live out that tradition."
Isabella David | Jumping Seat | Holmdel, N.J.
Isabella David signs with Georgia after finishing 12th at the USET Finals East Coast, sixth at the Zone 2 Maclay Regionals, and sixth at the North American Equitation Championship at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in 2021. In 2020 she was the 3'3" USHJA Hunter Seat Medal Finals Champion and finished Top 25 at Maclay Finals as well as fourth at the USHJA Jumping Seat Medal Final at the Capital Challenge Horse Show.
"Isabella is joining Georgia with a wealth of equitation experience at the top level," Becker said. "She has had many top finishes in many prestigious events, and rides with one of the top barns in the country. Isabella is not only a fierce competitor, but also a top student with an outstanding GPA and test scores. Her positive attitude, sweet nature, and competitive mindset will make her a great asset to our team- both in and out of the arena. She is a true all-around successful student-athlete, and we know that she will do nothing but great things here at Georgia."
Alyvia Dixon | Western | Hickory Corners, Mich.
Alyvia Dixon signs with UGA and will ride in the Horsemanship event. In 2019 she was the NSBA Reserve World Champion and the Bronze World Champion. Dixon has also had several top 10 finishes at the All American Quarter Horse Congress, AQHYA Youth World Show and NSBA World Show.
"Alyvia is coming to Georgia with quite an impressive riding resume, but an even better work ethic," Lantz Breuker said. "Her show experience all over the country in high pressure situations will prove to be beneficial as she is here at Georgia. Alyvia's competitive edge, hard-work mentality, and positive attitude are all things that we look for in a Georgia athlete. Her ability to maintain great academics while also having a rigorous show schedule prove that she will be a good fit here in Athens. We are looking forward to having another athlete join us from the Great Lakes State and are excited to see all that is in store for Alyvia at Georgia."
Ella Duffy | Jumping Seat | Marietta, Ga.
Ella Duffy signs with the Bulldogs after two first place finishes in the Medium Junior Jumper Classic at the Lexington Spring Classic and the Piedmont Jumper Classic, both in 2021. She is a National Honor Society member and recipient of the President's Education Award.
"Ella is joining us from right here in Georgia," Becker said. "She has a great amount of experience in the equitation and jumper divisions, and has competed at some of the biggest shows in the country with strong placings. Ella's composure and competitive edge regardless of what horse or class she is competing in have stood out to us. Ella not only is a strong rider and athlete, but also a standout student in the classroom with amazing academic success. Ella's father was an Olympic rower, so she is no stranger to achieving greatness and what it means to work well with others on a team. We look forward to what she can achieve here in Athens."
Quinn Eisenfield | Western | Scottsdale, Ariz.
Quinn Eisenfield signs with Georgia after riding to a Reserve finish in the Level 2 Ranch Riding, being a finalist in Level 3 Ranch Riding, and a finalist in Level 2 Reining at the 2020 AQHYA Youth World Show. She was a two-time Reserve Circuit Champion in the Level 1 Youth Reining.
"Quinn comes to Georgia with a ton of experience both in the reining and ranch riding," Lantz Breuker said. "Not only is she a great showman, she also is an incredible student who we know will excel greatly at Georgia. Her drive and attention to detail, all while having the best attitude is what stood out the most to us during the recruiting process. Quinn has set her sights high, attended several collegiate camps, and has prepared herself well to thrive here in Athens. We know that this has been a huge goal for Quinn and we cannot wait to see all that she accomplishes."
Shelby Lynch | Western | McLean, Ill.
Shelby Lynch signs with UGA after being a five-time AQHA Congress Champion and finishing Top-Five at the AQHYA World Show. Among those classes of wins is the 2019 AQHYA Youth World Ranch Riding Top 5 , All American Quarter Horse Congress Champion Short Stirrup. Shelby is currently leading the National in the NRHA Youth 14-18.
"Shelby is coming to Georgia with a wealth of knowledge and incredible show experience under her belt, Lantz Breuker said. "Her list of riding accomplishments began at a young age- winning the Short Stirrup at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress- and have continued through numerous NRHA World title runs. Her ability to jump on and show anything is what caught our attention. Shelby is no stranger to hard work, good grades, and the ability to be competitive under pressure. We are grateful that Shelby chose Georgia to call home and cannot wait to have her here in Athens."
Kendall McClintock | Western | Galena, Ohio
Kendall McClintock signs with the Bulldogs after finishing Top 10 in the 2021 AQHA Congress NYATT Horsemanship and first in the 14-18 Western Riding at the Ohio Quarter Horse Association Year End. She also finished third in 14-18 Horsemanship, Western Pleasure and Trail, as well as fourth in Showmanship at the OQHA Year End. In 2020, she was a finalist in the Level 2 Western Riding at the AQHA Ford Youth World and Top 10 in the Youth Color Horsemanship at the NSBA World Show.
"Kendall is joining us at Georgia with a tremendous riding resume as well as academic success," Lantz Breuker said. "Her list of accolades range from the All-Around events to having great success as an IEA rider. Her experience both in the industry and as a catch rider will go a long way for her here at Georgia. She and her family are no strangers to collegiate equestrian as her sister rode at Oklahoma State University. Her ability to maintain great grades all while traveling to shows and having two jobs is something that really stood out to us in all of our conversations. Georgia is lucky to have a hard-working, driven, and highly-motivated athlete with such a leadership personality join our family."
Aphrodite Papandreou | Jumping Seat | Houston, Texas
Aphrodite Papandreou signs with Georgia with multiple top finishes under her belt. In 2021 she was named Reserve Champion in the USHJA Zone 7 3'6" Equitation Championship and Champion in the Zone 7 15-17 Age Equitation Championship. She earned a fourth place finish in Jumping Seat Medal Western League Standings and Reserve Champion in Zone 7 HOTY Standings –– Large Junior Hunter 15 & under in 2020.
"Aphrodite comes to Georgia with a ton of equitation and hunter experience at the top level, and has an outstanding work ethic," Becker said. "Her diligence, drive, and great questions really stood out to us in the recruiting process and we knew that she would be a great fit here at Georgia. Not only does Aphrodite have some outstanding riding achievements, but she also is a fantastic student with a wonderful academic resume. We know that joining the Georgia Equestrian team was a goal of hers, and we could not be more thrilled that she is joining us next fall."
Hailey Royce | Jumping Seat | Wellington, Fla.
Hailey Royce signs with the Bulldogs after winning Team Gold at the 2021 Prix De States Championship at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, as well as Team Gold at the North American Youth Championship and a third team gold at Zone 3/4 Platinum Jumper Championships, as well as an Individual Silver Medal. She finished second at Region 3 Maclay Regionals in 2020 and 2021.She was the Fox Lea Farm Grand Prix Winner in June 2021, along with other top jumper finishes throughout the years.
"Hailey is coming to Georgia with not only several gold medals, but also a wealth of experience as a catch rider," Becker said. "Her accomplishments in the arena are due to her hard work and dedication to her horses and the sport. She has had many opportunities to ride many difficult horses that will prepare her well for collegiate riding. She has also competed at the top level consistently in the jumpers and equitation. Her academic success is impressive and will be a welcomed addition to our team next fall. Hailey is no stranger to competing on teams, and is very selfless and hard-working. We are so grateful that Hailey is a Dawg."
Raegan Shepherd | Western | Clayton, N.C.
Raegan Shepherd signs with the Bulldogs after finishing fifth place out of 111 competitors in the NRHA Green, sixth in the NRHA Youth 14-18, and ninth in the AQHA Youth 14-18 at the 2021 All American Quarter Horse Congress. She took second in the Youth 14-18 and Unrestricted Youth, as well as the Green 2 at the 2021 NRHA Derby.
"Raegan is joining Georgia with a stellar academic resume, tremendous riding accolades and leadership qualities," Lantz Breuker said. "Her involvement in extra curriculars, including 4-H and FFA, will prove to provide her with incredible tools and assets that we look for in a Georgia athlete. As a national competitor, both in the arena and through 4H, Raegan is no stranger to high pressure situations and being able to get the job done. We are looking forward to having this talented athlete join us in Athens next year and we cannot wait to watch her thrive."
Players Mentioned
