University of Georgia
UT Martin
Georgia Shines, Defeating UT Martin on Senior Day, 17-2
March 05, 2022 | Equestrian
BISHOP, Ga. – The sixth-ranked Georgia equestrian team ascended over No. 9 Tennessee Martin with a 17-2 victory on Senior Day at the UGA Equestrian Farm on Saturday afternoon.
Georgia (7-4, 2-4 SEC) ran ahead with a big lead, taking the first eight points of the day in Fences and Horsemanship. Sophomore rider Emma Reichow earned Most Outstanding Performance honors for her Fences ride. Freshman Jillian Stopperich was recognized as MOP for the second time this season in Horsemanship. In the Flat, sophomore Jordan Toering earned MOP after a career-best score and fifth highest score in program history with a 97.5. Senior Courtney Blumer finished the Bulldogs' MOP sweep in Reining, with a 72.5
"This was an endurance test for us," said head coach Meghan Boenig. "We had a big day yesterday and put a lot on the table. We knew we needed to come out and continue to execute. That's what we need to be doing during postseason and we talked about that. Just thrilled from the leadership we're seeing on the team, we have motivational speakers coming from the team, we have excitement and the horses being prepared so well. Then, on top of that, they go out and execute. Big, huge scores today in a dominant win. We're continuing to build and looking at honing our skills for postseason."
Georgia shined in Fences, winning four points. Toering and fifth-year Hayley Mairano kicked off the event defeating both of their opponents, while Reichow's MOP ride took the next point. Junior Rachel McMullen fell in a tight battle, 83-82 and freshman Catalina Peralta won, 86-79.
The Bulldogs continued their winning ways in Horsemanship, adding another four points. Junior Grace Himes and sophomore Leah Anderson claimed the first two points. After Georgia dropped the next point, Stopperich and senior Kendall Gill rode to victories, downing their UT Martin opponents.
Georgia was met with additional success in Flat, claiming four points. Mairano earned the first point for the Bulldogs with her score of 90 against her opponent's 86.5. Behind her, junior Ceci Bresch scored an 85.5, topping her opponent's 80. Sophomore Sophia Pilla followed behind defeating her opponent 84.5-81. Toering had the highest score of the meet in Flat, with her 97.5. Sophomore Nora Andrews tied with UTM's Kelby Kane with a score of 86.5
To finish the meet in Reining, Georgia secured five points. Freshman Jax Bound earned the first point with her score of 69.5. Senior Lindsay Guynn and junior Caitlin Lyons earned the next two points with a 71 and a 69. Blumer rode to a 72.5, taking the point against UTM's Logan Putvinski's 70. Finishing off the meet, freshman Isabella Hehr completed the Reining sweep after riding to a score of 71.
Following the meet, Georgia honored its 16 seniors in their final regular season home meet.
The Bulldogs will head to the SEC Championships on March 25-26 in Auburn.
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.
Players Mentioned
