University of Georgia Athletics
Five Georgia Equestrians Named to NCEA Ariat All-America Team
April 07, 2026 | Equestrian
WACO, Texas – Five University of Georgia equestrians have been named to the National Collegiate Equestrian Association's Ariat All-America teams, the association announced Tuesday.
Junior Cadence Eger was named to the First Team in Reining, while Raegan Shepherd was named to the Second Team in Reining. Three other Bulldogs received honorable mention nods: Abbey Zawisza in Horsemanship, Tessa Downey in Fences and Ella Duffy in Flat.
Eger, the Marysville, Ohio native, has compiled an 8-5 record this season with one Most Outstanding Performer (MOP) honor. She currently leads all Bulldog Reiners in scoring. The Animal Science major has ridden to scores of 73 or higher three times this season.
Shepherd, who was named NCEA Rider of the Month in October, owns a 9-3-1 record in Reining. She leads the team with nine wins and has collected one MOP honor, riding to an average score of 78.07 on the year.
Zawisza has found herself at the top of the Horsemanship scoreboard this season, compiling a 9-3-1 record. She rode to a new career high score of 78 against Delaware State to earn the first of her three MOP honors this season.
Downey rode to an 8-5 record this season. Five of her eight wins came against top-10 opponents. The Houston, Texas native collected a team-leading four MOP nods this season, riding to an average score of 82.5.
Duffy has collected the most wins in Flat this season, with an 8-5 record. The Marietta, Georgia native rode to a career high score of 90 against No. 9 UC Davis. She was recognized with MOP honors after her 85-point performance at UT Martin.
Georgia has enjoyed a two-week break and is set to travel to Ocala, Florida for the NCEA National Championship April 16-18. The Bulldogs received the three-seed in the competition and will face sixth-seeded Oklahoma State in the first round.
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.
JOIN OUR MANE DAWGS FUND: Mane Dawgs Fund contributions make a direct impact in supporting our student-athletes and equines at the Georgia Equestrian program. A gift to the Mane Dawgs fund helps provide resources such as equipment upgrades for our student and equine athletes, travel assistance, and enhance overall team experiences. Contributions to the Mane Dawgs provide benefits such as membership gifts and information about upcoming special events. Click here for more information.
Junior Cadence Eger was named to the First Team in Reining, while Raegan Shepherd was named to the Second Team in Reining. Three other Bulldogs received honorable mention nods: Abbey Zawisza in Horsemanship, Tessa Downey in Fences and Ella Duffy in Flat.
Eger, the Marysville, Ohio native, has compiled an 8-5 record this season with one Most Outstanding Performer (MOP) honor. She currently leads all Bulldog Reiners in scoring. The Animal Science major has ridden to scores of 73 or higher three times this season.
Shepherd, who was named NCEA Rider of the Month in October, owns a 9-3-1 record in Reining. She leads the team with nine wins and has collected one MOP honor, riding to an average score of 78.07 on the year.
Zawisza has found herself at the top of the Horsemanship scoreboard this season, compiling a 9-3-1 record. She rode to a new career high score of 78 against Delaware State to earn the first of her three MOP honors this season.
Downey rode to an 8-5 record this season. Five of her eight wins came against top-10 opponents. The Houston, Texas native collected a team-leading four MOP nods this season, riding to an average score of 82.5.
Duffy has collected the most wins in Flat this season, with an 8-5 record. The Marietta, Georgia native rode to a career high score of 90 against No. 9 UC Davis. She was recognized with MOP honors after her 85-point performance at UT Martin.
Georgia has enjoyed a two-week break and is set to travel to Ocala, Florida for the NCEA National Championship April 16-18. The Bulldogs received the three-seed in the competition and will face sixth-seeded Oklahoma State in the first round.
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.
JOIN OUR MANE DAWGS FUND: Mane Dawgs Fund contributions make a direct impact in supporting our student-athletes and equines at the Georgia Equestrian program. A gift to the Mane Dawgs fund helps provide resources such as equipment upgrades for our student and equine athletes, travel assistance, and enhance overall team experiences. Contributions to the Mane Dawgs provide benefits such as membership gifts and information about upcoming special events. Click here for more information.
Players Mentioned
Jumping Seat
/ Equestrian
Jumping Seat
/ Equestrian
Western
/ Equestrian
Western
/ Equestrian
Western
/ EquestrianGeorgia 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