Georgia Beats South Carolina, Finishes Third at SEC Championship

Saturday, March 30

College Station, TX

9:00 a.m.

University of Georgia

South Carolina

Georgia Beats South Carolina, Finishes Third at SEC Championship

March 30, 2024 | Equestrian

COLLEGE STATION, Texas --- The University of Georgia equestrian team defeated South Carolina, 12-7, to finish third at the 2023 SEC Championship Saturday at the Hildebrand Equine Complex.

Senior Nora Andrews was named to the All-Championship team in Flat after winning both of her rides during the championship. She scored an 87 on Friday against Auburn in the semifinal and a 89.33 today against South Carolina.

Two Bulldogs won Most Outstanding Performer honors for their rides in the consolation round. Junior Catalina Peralta was awarded in Fences after scoring a 87.67 and beating her opponent by four points.  Sophomore Raegan Shepherd was recognized in Reining with a score of 72.

"It's always good to be able to come back and compete again," Georgia head coach Meghan Boenig said. "It was great to see the way they handle adversity.  This group is determined to do well and be successful. We had huge scores with tough, tight riding.  Having said that, we have work to do when we go home. We are not leaving here like we want so we will go back, get to work, and make sure days like today repeat."

New this year at the SEC Championship, total scores for each rider are comprised of the average of the scores from three judges.

Competition started in Flat with the Bulldogs and Gamecocks splitting points, winning two each.  After the first two rides went to South Carolina, senior Jordan Toering pushed her point with a score of 91.33. Senior Nora Andrews put Georgia on the board, beating her counterpart, 89.33- 82.  Junior Catalina Peralta followed with a score of 91.33, defeating South Carolina's Sarah Rabb but less than a point.

In the Western ring, Georgia outscored South Carolina 3-2 in Reining. Junior Jax Bound started with a 69.17- 66.83 win over South Carolina's Chloe VanStone.  The next point went to the Gamecocks before Georgia won the following two rides with tight margins.  Sophomore Shelby Lynch topped her opponent, 68.5-68.17 and Shepherd beat Chloe Stephenson 72-71.83.  South Carolina won the last Reining point by another slim margin.

Georgia held a one-point lead at the halfway mark of the meet.

Georgia's fences squad laid down big rides, sweeping all five points with scores of 83 and above.  The event kicked off with a 87.87-83.67 win from Peralta. Senior Emma Reichow earned a 85.33 while senior Jennifer Staniloff earned a 84 in her win. Tessa Brown bested her opponent, 83-68, and freshman Tessa Downey capped the event with a 83.33-81 win.

Finishing competition in Horsemanship, South Carolina edged Georgia 3-2.  Senior Leah Anderson took the first point of the event with a 73.5. After a point went to the Gamecocks, junior Jillian Stopperich picked up a tally for the Bulldogs with a score of 68.5.

The No. 4 Bulldogs wait their fate for the National Collegiate Equestrian Association National Championship in Ocala, Florida April 18-20.