Georgia Falls, 10-9, to South Carolina on the Road

Saturday, February 26

Blythewood, S.C.

1:00 p.m.

University of Georgia

South Carolina

Photo by: Chamberlain Smith

February 26, 2022 | Equestrian

BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. --- The No. 4 University of Georgia equestrian team fell to the South Carolina Gamecocks, 10-9, on Saturday afternoon at One Wood Farm.

Despite the loss, Caitlin Lyons earned MOP in Reining. Her winning 71-63 ride marks the second time this season the junior has earned MOP, the last time being against Fresno State back in October.

"Certainly not the result we wanted today," said head coach Meghan Boenig. "South Carolina came out and rode, we did well but there were little places and opportunities that we should have taken advantage of. I'm really appreciative of the improvements we've made this week, they just didn't get realized in scores for various reasons. We've got to make sure we put a stop to that and be very intentional about practice this week. There were many great scores, good things but it wasn't quite enough. I want to give a huge shoutout to Caitlin Lyons with her MOP, (I'm) really proud of her. It's not over until the end of the season, we've got work to do and we're looking forward to get back at it on Monday."

Flat kicked off the competition between Georgia (5-4, 1-4 SEC) and South Carolina (1-9, 1-5 SEC) with the Bulldogs winning two-of-the-five points. Sophia Pilla defeated Madeline Schaefer, 83-72 and Nora Andrews defeated Caroline Bald, 81.5-72. Hayley Mairano, Ceci Bresch, and Jordan Toering all fell.

Horsemanship started shortly after Flat, Georgia won three points. Jillian Stopperich, Sara Lewis, and Leah Anderson won their points to keep the score level. Kendall Gill and Grace Himes lost in tight battles to their South Carolina opponents.

The Bulldogs and Gamecocks were tied up, 5-5, at the halfway point of the meet.

Competition resumed in Fences, Georgia came up short by one point. Rachel McMullen won the first Fences point, 84-36. Catalina Peralta and Mairano fell to their opponents, while Toering picked up another point, 83-82. In the final ride, Emma Reichow lost to Madeline Schaefer 84-74.

Georgia continued to compete hard and tied South Carolina in the Reining competition. Lindsay Guynn lost to Emma Lane, 68-67. Lyons' MOP ride defeated Chloe VanStone, 71-63. Courtney Bluer tied her opponent with a score of 70.5. The final two points came down to Isabella Hehr and Jax Bound. Hehr won, 70.5-0 and Bound fell, 69-62.

The Bulldogs will return home next weekend for a double header against Auburn on Friday, March 4 at 2:00p.m. ET and Tennessee Martin on Saturday, March 5 at 10:00a.m. ET.

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.