No. 5 Georgia Claims Third-Straight Top-5 Victory, Defeats No. 4 South Carolina

Saturday, February 24

Blythewood, SC

University of Georgia

South Carolina

Photo by: Tony Walsh/UGAAA

No. 5 Georgia Claims Third-Straight Top-5 Victory, Defeats No. 4 South Carolina

February 24, 2024 | Equestrian

BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. --- The No. 5 University of Georgia equestrian team claimed its third-straight top-five victory and defeated No. 4 South Carolina, 11-9, on Saturday afternoon at One Wood Farm.

With the win, Georgia improves to 7-4 on the season and 4-2 in the SEC and beat all three conference foes in consecutive weeks.  South Carolina falls to 6-6 overall and 1-5 in the conference after today's meet.  Auburn (6-4, 2-3 SEC) and Texas A&M (7-2, 4-1 SEC) will face off on March 9 after which the seeding for the SEC Championship will be determined.  The championship is set to take place March 29-30 in College Station, Texas.

Highlighting the meet was Georgia's three Most Outstanding Performer riders- seniors Jordan Toering (Flat) and Hannah Jane Lucas (Reining), and junior Austin Layer (Horsemanship).

"We had really strong rides today," Georgia head coach Meghan Boenig said. "It was special because we were all reflecting and riding for our Georgia community, and the events that happened this week. We wanted to show what we can do with our focus and our love as a group. It took a whole team effort today. I'm really proud of our MOP rides. I'm proud of opening up strong and staying strong throughout the competition- even with some of those rides with half a point margin. We're just getting going. There's more work to be done and we are excited for it."

Competition began in Flat with the Bulldogs outscoring the Gamecocks, 4-1.  Sophomore Isabella David put the Bulldogs on the board and senior Jordan Toering followed with a score of 87, winning her point by 11 and MOP honors.  The Gamecocks took the next point before Georgia closed out the event with the last two.  Junior Nora Andrews claimed her point with a score of 79 and senior Sophia Pilla finished with a score of 81.

Meanwhile in Horsemanship, the Bulldogs added four points to lengthen the lead. Senior Gracie Himes and Jillian Stopperich won the first two points with scores of 70.5 and 71.5, respectively.  After a point went to the Gamecocks, Jordan Davis and Austin Layer grabbed the next two.  Davis topped her opponent, 72-65, and Layer received the highest point of the event, bettering her counterpart, 74.5-71, and claiming MOP honors for her ride.

Georgia held an 8-2 lead at the halfway point of the meet before South Carolina attempted a comeback in the second half.

The Gamecocks topped the Bulldogs, 4-1 in Fences.  Senior Emma Reichow collected the lone point of the event for Georgia, outscoring her opponent, 85-73.

Finishing competition in Reining, the Gamecocks added three points to the Bulldogs' two with three of the five rides being determined by a half point margin.  Sophomore Shelby Lynch defeated her counterpart, 65-64.5, and senior Hannah Jane Lucas beat her opponent, 69.5-68, winning MOP honors for her ride.

Georgia is back home for the regular season finale against South Dakota State on March 2 at 11 a.m. at the UGA Equestrian Complex. The Bulldogs will honor their 16 seniors for Senior Day.  Admission the meet 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.