University of Georgia Athletics

Raegan Shepherd

Bulldogs Notch No. 6 Spot in NCEA Preseason Rankings

September 20, 2023 | Equestrian


ATHENS, Ga. – The University of Georgia equestrian team will begin the 2023-24 season as the sixth-ranked team in the nation, as announced by the National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) Selection Committee on Wednesday.  
 
SMU, the reigning national champions, check in at No. 1, followed by Auburn.  TCU is ranked third followed by Texas A&M and Oklahoma State, before the Bulldogs at No. 6.  Baylor is seventh, preceding South Carolina, UC Davis and UT Martin to round out the Top 10.   
 
Georgia returns five NCEA Ariat All-Americans and five All-SEC honorees. Senior Sophia Pilla received All-SEC honors in Flat and was named to the NCEA First Team All-America. Junior Jillian Stopperich was given All-SEC honors in Horsemanship. Additionally, Tessa Brown, Raegan Shepherd and Shelby Lynch were named to the SEC All-Freshman team last season.  Additionally, the Bulldogs brought in a stout recruiting class with numerous Top 10 finishes, including Tessa Downey who took home a third place finish with Team USA at the FEI Jumping Youth Nations Cup Final.  
 
After going 6-9 throughout the 2022-23 campaign, the Bulldogs finished third at the SEC Championship and was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the NCEA National Championship. 
 
The Georgia equestrian team will host its Annual Red and Black Scrimmage on Friday, Sept. 22 at 3 p.m. before the 2023-24 season officially kicks off Sept. 30 when the Bulldogs host No. 10 UT Martin at the UGA Equestrian Complex. Competition is slated to begin at noon and admission is free.  
 
HOW TO FOLLOW GEORGIA EQUESTRIAN: For complete information on Georgia equestrian, follow the team on its social media channels via @UGAEquestrian on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.   
 
NCEA Preseason Rankings  
  1. SMU 
  2. Auburn 
  3. TCU 
  4. Texas A&M 
  5. Oklahoma State 
  6. Georgia 
  7. Baylor 
  8. South Carolina 
  9. UC Davis 
  10. UT Martin 

Related News

Skip Ad
All News
Georgia rider Tessa Brown during Georgia’s meet against Texas A&M at the UGA Equestrian Complex in Bishop, Ga., on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (Sofia Yaker/UGAAA)
Georgia Falls to Texas A&M in Semifinals of NCEA Championship
Friday, April 17
Georgia rider Tessa Downey during Georgia’s meet against Texas A&M at the UGA Equestrian Complex in Bishop, Ga., on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (Sofia Yaker/UGAAA)
Georgia Equestrian Advances to Semifinals of NCEA National Championship
Thursday, April 16
Georgia rider Shelby Lynch during Georgia’s meet against Texas A&M at the UGA Equestrian Complex in Bishop, Ga., on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (Sofia Yaker/UGAAA)
Georgia to Open NCEA Championships Against Oklahoma State
Wednesday, April 15
UGA Equestrian
Trio of Bulldogs Named SEC Rider of the Year, Highlight All-SEC Honors
Thursday, April 09
All News
Skip Ad

Players Mentioned

Tessa Brown

Jumping Seat
/ Equestrian

Tessa Downey

Jumping Seat
/ Equestrian

Shelby Lynch

Western
/ Equestrian

Sophia Pilla

Jumping Seat
/ Equestrian

Raegan Shepherd

Western
/ Equestrian

Jillian Stopperich

Western
/ Equestrian

Related Videos

Skip Ad
All Videos
Georgia Equestrian SEC Championship vs. Texas A&M Postgame Sound
Saturday, March 28
Georgia Equestrian SEC Semifinal vs. South Carolina Video Recap
Friday, March 27
Georgia Equestrian - Lantz Family Feature
Monday, March 02
Georgia Equestrian vs Auburn - Postgame Interview
Saturday, February 28
All Videos