BISHOP, Ga. – The No. 7 Georgia equestrian team upset the No. 3 Auburn Tigers with a final score of 11-8 on Saturday afternoon at the UGA Equestrian Complex in Bishop, Ga. The win marks the first time Georgia has defeated Auburn in regular season competition since the 2011-2012 season. With the victory, Georgia improves to 8-3 on the season and 4-2 in the Southeastern Conference. The Tigers move to 7-3 overall with a 2-2 notch in the SEC. Also with the win, Georgia can be seeded no less than a tie for first place in the SEC Championship.
Highlighting the meet were Liza Finsness (Equitation on the Flat), Rachel Kolb (Horsemanship), and McKenzie Lantz (Reining) who were awarded with MOP honors.
“Today was a very exciting day,” said head coach Meghan Boenig, “I was impressed with the level of riding we saw and our riders maintained their focus and executed great rides. This was a great competition to prepare us for the upcoming SEC and National Championships.”
Auburn edged Georgia 3-2 in Equitation Over Fences. Finsess put up an MOP-earning ride over Auburn’s Christina Lin with a 87-85 decision. Auburn took the next point before Meg O’Mara delivered an 85-83 performance over Jennifer Waxman. Auburn used winning rides from Demi Stiegler and Elizabeth Benson to seal the event 3-2.
In Horsemanship Georgia took a commanding lead, winning the first four points of the event. Kolb got things started by outscoring Lacy Watson 75.5-74 and was awarded MOP honors. A 75.5-74 victory by Paige Stawicki and a 74-65.5 decision from Anna Sasser gave Georgia a 3-0 lead. Sara Parr defeated Stephanie Rucci 75-70 before the Tigers earned their lone point by Lucy Igoe. After two events, Georgia took a 6-4 advantage over Auburn.
The Bulldogs dropped a 3-2 decision to the Tigers in Equitation on the Flat. Auburn grabbed the first point but Finsness answered with an 85-73 victory over Ashley Foster. Auburn’s Stiegler and Benson took the next two points, before Olivia Dorey put up a winning ride over Jennifer Delman with a score of 85.
Georgia’s Reining squad delivered a 3-1 victory to help seal the meet 11-8. Claudia Spreng rode to a tie with Griffin Knight with 68.5 points each. Charley Thiel grabbed her point with a 68.5-68 decision over Cheyenne Crafcraft. Lantz used a 71-70 decision and was awarded with MOP honors. Lauren Tieche took the final point of the day outscoring Hailey Munger 68.5-67.
The Bulldogs will return to action Friday, March 7 when they host New Mexico State. It will be the final home meet of the season and Georgia will honor its 23 seniors on Senior Day.
