No. 6 Georgia Defeats No. 5 Auburn, 11-7

Saturday, February 10

Bishop, Ga.

2:00 p.m.

University of Georgia

Auburn

February 10, 2024 | Equestrian

BISHOP, Ga. ---- The No. 6 University of Georgia equestrian team defeated No. 5 Auburn, 11-7. at the UGA Equestrian Complex on Saturday afternoon, marking the first time the Bulldogs beat the Tigers since the spring of 2022.

With the win, Georgia improves to 5-4 on the season and 2-2 in the SEC. The Bulldogs are now 29-26 all-time against the Tigers with a 12-7 mark at home.

Highlighting the meet was Georgia's riders that won Most Outstanding Performer honors. Junior Catalina Peralta was honored in Flat and Fences after receiving a score of 90 for both of her rides. Senior Hannah Jane Lucas was recognized in Reining with a score of 71.5.

"It felt really good coming out very strong right from the beginning and continuing to pound out those points," Georgia head coach Meghan Boenig said. "We had some huge, big scores with aggressive riding. After last week we knew we had some work to do in order to push through and to prove something at home. This is just the beginning. We've got to keep this hunt going. I'm really proud of seeing all those MOP rides, high scores, this fight, even every single one of those ties, we had huge scores on those ties. The key is continuing, so we're going to go right back to work and do this again next weekend."

Competition began in Flat with the Bulldogs topping the Tigers 4-1.  Auburn won the first point of the day before Georgia won the next four.  Sophomore Isabella David put the Bulldogs on the board with a score of 87 and senior Sophia Pilla followed winning her point with the same score.  Up next, senior Jordan Toering defeated her Auburn counterpart, 81-68, and junior Catalina Peralta finished with a score of 90, earning MOP honors and defeating Auburn Ellie Ferrigno's 85 to claim the last Flat point.

The Bulldogs and Tigers split points in Reining.  The two points that were awarded to the Tigers were by a half a point margin.  Senior Hannah Jane Lucas grabbed the first Western point of the day with a score of 71.5 before fifth-year senior Caitlin Lyons pushed her point, matching her Tiger counterpart's 69. Auburn's Isabella Tesmer scored a 71 to defeat Jax Bound's 70.5. Sophomore Shelby Lynch won the next point for UGA before Auburn took the final Reining ride.

Georgia led Auburn 6-3 at the half way point.

Georgia extended its lead in Fences taking three points to the Tigers' one.  Senior Jennifer Staniloff lead off with a score of 89, topping Auburn's Avery Glynn's 88.  Sophomore Tessa Brown followed, receiving an 81 for her course and earning the point.  Next, Peralta jumped to a score of 90, claiming MOP honors and another notch for the Bulldogs.  Freshman Tessa Downey pushed a point with her Tiger opponent, scoring an 88.

Finishing in Horsemanship, the Bulldogs added two points to their total.  Junior Jillian Stopperich received a 74.5 for her pattern, topping Alexia Tordoff's 72.5.  The Tigers took the next three points before the Bulldogs closed out with the event with a win from senior Leah Anderson who received a 73 for her ride.

The Bulldogs are back in action next week against the Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday, February 17 at 12 p.m. at the UGA Equestrian Complex.  Admission is free.

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