No. 5 Georgia Tops No. 10 UT Martin, 14-5

Saturday, October 28

Martin, TN

University of Georgia

UT Martin

October 28, 2023 | Equestrian

MARTIN, Tenn. --- The No. 5 Georgia equestrian team topped No. 10 UT Martin, 14-5, on Saturday at the Ned McWherter Agricultural Complex.

Three Georgia riders picked up Most Outstanding Performance honors in the win.  Senior Jennifer Staniloff was honored in Fences, the first of her career.  Junior Catalina Peralta was recognized for Flat, marking her first MOP in that event this season and the second of her career.  Fifth-Year senior Gracie Himes received the distinction in Horsemanship after riding to a career-high score of 75.5.  This is her second MOP honor this season and fourth overall.

"It was a great day to be able to come out, ride and end the weekend with a win," head coach Meghan Boenig said. "We saw a lot of MOPs, a lot of great scores, and a lot of dominance in events. It's great to see that fight in the team. As always, it's not over yet and we know we have work to do."

The Bulldogs jumped to a strong lead in Fences, winning four points.  Junior Catalina Peralta led off with a score of 83.5.  Junior Melissa Deryn Foster was next, receiving an 85 for her course and edging her opponent by one point to add to the Bulldogs' total. Tessa Brown followed suit and picked up another point for Georgia after scoring an 80 for her ride.  Senior Jennifer Staniloff rode to the highest Fences score of the day, earning an 86 for her ride and winning a point for UGA. UT Martin won the last Fences point.

Similarly in Horsemanship, Georgia won four points only giving one up to the Skyhawks.  Juniors Jillian Stopperich and Jordan Davis both edged their opponents by half a point with scores of 75 and 75.5, respectively. Gracie Himes scored a 75.5, marking a career-high for the fifth-year senior. Junior Austin Layer added a point after scoring a 75 for her pattern on Winnie.

The Bulldogs held a strong 8-2 lead after two events.

Georgia swept UT Martin in Flat, adding five points with scores all 81 and above.  Peralta and Jordan Toering started off both scoring an 85 for their pattern.  After being granted a re-ride, Nora Andrews received an 81. Sophomore Isabella David and junior Jessica Guginsky won their rides with scores of 83 and 84, respectively.

The Skyhawks won three Reining points, compared to the Bulldogs' one.  UT Martin won the first point of the event before the next one was pushed with a tie score of 69.5 from UGA's Raegan Shepherd and UTM's Lexi Bailey.  UT Martin won the next two rides before freshman Cadence Eger finished the day by edging her opponent by one point with a score of 69.5.

The Bulldogs are off for two weeks before closing out the fall schedule at home against Oklahoma State on Saturday, November 18 at the UGA Equestrian Complex.  Competition is slated to begin at noon and admission is free.

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.