COLUMBIA, S.C. – After
taking down then top-ranked South Carolina last weekend, the University
of Georgia equestrian team moved to No. 1 in the latest Coaches Poll. It is the fourth time this season that the Bulldogs have held the top
spot. The Bulldogs have won three-straight competitions, all of which
have come on the road. Georgia is now 5-3 on the season and 2-2 in
Southeastern Conference action.
In last week’s 11-8 win over the Gamecocks, Georgia had three riders take home MOP honors in their respective events. Grace Rogers earned the honor in Equitation on the Flat after defeating her opponent 84-76. Leylan Gleeson picked up her first MOP award of her career, riding to a 78-72 win in Equitation Over Fences. Becca Haaland helped Georgia to a 2-2 tie in Reining with her MOP-winning 68-67 victory.
South Carolina dropped to
the No. 4 spot, having lost three meets in a row. Auburn is the
second-ranked team, finishing with 85 points in the voting.
Oklahoma State becomes the
first non-SEC to break into the top three. The Cowgirls opened the
spring by winning its first two meets by a combined score of 32-12.
Kansas State moves up one spot to No. 5, while Baylor and Texas A&M are both tied for sixth.
Texas Christian holds
steady at No. 7. South Dakota State remains ninth, despite the fact that
the Jackrabbits have won five meets in a row dating back to the fall.
Southern Methodist will hold its top-ten ranking, as the Mustangs close out this week’s poll at No. 10.
The collegiate coaches
competing under the National Collegiate Equestrian Association umbrella
initiated the national poll. The next coaches poll is scheduled to be
released on February 20 at Noon ET.
