Georgia Closes Fall with 14-4 Victory over South Carolina

Saturday, November 13

Bishop, Ga.

2:00 p.m.

University of Georgia

South Carolina

Georgia Closes Fall with 14-4 Victory over South Carolina

November 13, 2021 | Equestrian

BISHOP, Ga – In a dominant victory, the No. 5 University of Georgia equestrian team defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Fall Finale, 14-4, on Saturday afternoon at the Georgia Equestrian Complex.

Junior Gracie Himes, freshman Jax Bound, junior Ceci Bresch, and fifth year Hayley Mairano earned Most Outstanding Player honors. For Himes, Bound, and Bresch this is the first MOP of their career, while this marks Mairano's fifth Fences MOP.

"This is the absolute definition of teamwork," said head coach Meghan Boenig. "This has been a trying week and a lot of changes have been taking place, whether it be in the lineup, in the jobs list, everything. It took everyone really helping each other out and I just couldn't be more proud of them coming out and showing in this big of a way."

Competition started in Fences with Georgia (3-2, 1-2 SEC) winning four-of-the-five points over the Gamecocks (0-6, 0-2). Mairano put the Bulldogs on the board first with an 85-80 win. Junior Rachel McMullen followed suit, defeating her opponent 83-80. South Carolina's Madeline Schaefer won the third point over sophomore Isabelle Song, 84-83. Sophomore Jordan Toering won the fourth point in a 79-75 win while sophomore Emma Reichow claimed the last Fences point for Georgia, 84-74.

The Bulldogs continued their strong start in Horsemanship, claiming four points. Senior Sara Lewis won the first point, 76-70. Alexa Thorpe would win the second point for the Gamecocks, 73.4-72.5 over freshman Jillian Stopperich. Georgia went on to win the three points. Himes won her point, 74.5-72, senior Taylor Burgess defeated her opponent, 75.5-69, and senior Kendall Gill won the final point, 76-71.5.

Georgia took the lead, 8-2 going into the second half of the meet.

Sophomore Sophia Pilla opened scoring in Flat with an 86-71.5 win. Bresch claimed the second Flat point with an 85-83 victory. Nora Andrews fell to her South Carolina opponent, 75-74. Toering earned her second point of the meet over Madeline Schaeffer, 85-72. Mairano closed out the Jumping Seat competition with a 71-71 tie.

Remaining dominant, the Bulldogs won three Reining points. Bound, junior Caitlin Lyons and freshman Isabella Hehr claimed three-straight points for the Bulldogs. Bound won 71-68.5, Lyons won 70.5-69, and Hehr won 69.5-69. Senior Lindsay Guynn tied Sloan Vogt 7-7. Closing out competition, sophomore Sophie Lucas fell in the final ride of the day, 69.5-69.

Saturday's 14-4 win over South Carolina closes out the fall season for the Bulldogs. Georgia will return to action on the road on Friday, Feb. 4 against Sweet Briar.

HOW TO FOLLOW GEORGIA EQUESTRIAN: For complete information on Georgia equestrian, follow the team on its social media channels via @UGAEquestrian on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.