No. 5 Georgia Falls to No. 2 Texas A&M in Raw Score

Saturday, February 12

Bishop, Ga.

10:00 a.m.

University of Georgia

9 (1523)

9 (1532)

Texas A&M

Photo by: Mackenzie Miles

No. 5 Georgia Falls to No. 2 Texas A&M in Raw Score

February 12, 2022 | Equestrian

BISHOP, Ga. --- The No. 5 University of Georgia equestrian team dropped a close battle to No. 2 Texas A&M in raw score, 1532-1523, after both teams earned nine points at the UGA Equestrian Complex on Saturday afternoon.

"It was a really tough day for us today," Georgia head coach Meghan Boenig said. "I appreciated being out here celebrating 50 years of Title IX with Texas A&M. Coming out and thinking we pulled off a win and learning that we didn't is heartbreaking.  I think our athletes are feeling it. The only good I can feel out of this is that is puts a fire in us.  There were so many places we do ride better and we didn't show it today. If it has to come down to a raw score where you have every single point counting, we were not the better team.  The way we've been practicing, how we're riding, and how we started the meet, this should have never been a place we were in.  So, it hurts.  Maybe that's the most valuable lesson that we have from this."

Competition started in Fences with Georgia (3-3, 1-3 SEC) jumping to an early 4-1 lead over Texas A&M (8-1, 4-0 SEC).  Emma Reichow received the highest score of the event and earned Most Outstanding Player honors, riding to a 90- the best Fences scores of the season among Bulldogs. Jordan Toering, Rachel McMullen, and Hayley Mairano added points for Georgia.  Catalina Peralta received an 83 for her course, but ultimately dropped the points to the Aggies.

The Bulldogs and Aggies tied in Horsemanship with both teams winning two points. Sara Lewis and Leah Anderson both won their points with scores of 77.5. Gracie Himes fell to Hann Olaussen, 79-78.  Despite the loss, Himes met her season-high score for the ride. Jillian Stopperich pushed the point with her Aggie opponent after both scored a 77.

Georgia went into the second half ahead, 6-3.

The Aggies took a slight advantage in Flat, 3-2.  Nora Andrews and Sophia Pilla added points for the Bulldogs with scores of 78 and 73, respectively.

The Bulldogs added one point in Reining, while the Aggies closed the gap by collecting three points in the final event of the day.  Courtney Blumer edged her opponent, 73-72.5, and Caitlin Lyons pushed her point with a score of 72.5.

The Bulldogs are back in action next week as the team travels to Brookings, South Dakota for two meets.  Georgia takes on South Dakota State on Friday, February 18 before facing Minnesota Crookston in a neutral site meet on Saturday, February 19.

HOW TO FOLLOW GEORGIA EQUESTRIAN: For complete information on Georgia equestrian, follow the team on its social media channels via @UGAEquestrian on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.