No. 5 Georgia Drops 14-4 Decision at No. 4 Auburn

Saturday, February 18

Auburn, Ala.

12 p.m.

University of Georgia

Auburn

February 18, 2023 | Equestrian

AUBURN, Ala. --- The No. 5 University of Georgia equestrian team dropped a 14-4 decision to No. 4 Auburn on Saturday afternoon at the Auburn University Equestrian Center.

With the loss, Georgia falls to 5-5 on the season with a 1-3 mark in SEC play.

"I'm really proud of the energy and the preparation that we put into this. The score does not reflect the riding and abilities of our team," Georgia head coach Meghan Boenig said. "However, we have to find those little ways to make the difference go in our direction and there are little things that we will continue to work on and strive towards. We are eliminating so many little things and yet there is more to do."

The meet started with Auburn (7-2, 4-1 SEC) riding to a slight 3-2 advantage in Flat.  The Tigers won the first point before junior Sophia Pilla completed a beautiful pattern, scoring an 89 and winning her point.  Sophomore Catalina Peralta followed with an 85-72 win for the Bulldogs.  Auburn won the last two points of the event.

Meanwhile in Reining, Auburn added three points to the Bulldogs' two.  The Tigers grabbed the first two Western points of the day.  Senior Courtney Blumer rode to a 71.5, beating her opponent by two to add a point for Georgia.  Auburn won the next point.  The event concluded with Jax Bound winning her point after riding to a score of 67 over her opponent's 62.5.

Auburn led 6-4 at the halfway point of the meet.

Auburn jumped ahead in Fences, securing the win with four more points.  The Tigers won the first two points before junior Emma Reichow rode to a score of 83 to tie her opponent and push the point.  Auburn won the next two rides.

In Horsemanship, Auburn widened the gap by adding four points. In the final ride of the day, senior Kendall Gill rode to a score of 73 to tie Auburn's Madison Parduhn.

Georgia will host SMU for its home finale on Friday, February 24 at the UGA Equestrian Complex.  Competition is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Georgia will also honor its departing Bulldogs with Senior Day celebrations following the meet.

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