Pilla Named SEC Equestrian Scholar-Athlete of the Year
March 29, 2025 | Equestrian
MILL SPRING, N.C. – Georgia Equestrian's Sophia Pilla was named the 2025 Southeastern Conference Equestrian Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the conference announced Saturday following the SEC Equestrian Championship at Tryon International Equestrian Center.
Pilla, a Ridgefield, Connecticut, native, graduated with a 3.90 GPA to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and a certificate in Entrepreneurship. She is currently pursuing an undergraduate certificate in legal studies.
She is a two-time member of the National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) All-Academic First team and has been named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll three times throughout her collegiate career. She is also a three-time J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Honor Roll honoree and was named to the SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll her freshman year. Additionally, she is a member of the UGA Leadership Education and Development program.
In the ring, the two-time team captain has been a staple in the Flat lineup throughout her five years as a UGA equestrian. She is a three-time All-American in Flat and has received two NCEA Rider of the Month honors. She was part of the 2021 NCEA National Championship team and went undefeated during the 2023 and 2024 spring seasons.
She has compiled a 42-16 career record with 11 MOP honors. She holds the highest score in Flat in the Georgia and NCEA record books, with a 99 that she earned on Swank during her junior season.
Pilla is the third overall and second consecutive Bulldog to receive SEC Equestrian Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors. Her recognition comes after graduate Caitlin Lyons was named the 2024 SEC Equestrian Scholar-Athlete of the Year at last year's SEC Equestrian Championship in College Station, Texas.
Georgia Equestrian – SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year Winners
2021 – Isabelle Heckler
2024 – Caitlin Lyons
2025 – Sophia Pilla
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.
JOIN OUR MANE DAWGS FUND: Mane Dawgs Fund contributions make a direct impact in supporting our student-athletes and equines at the Georgia Equestrian program. A gift to the Mane Dawgs fund helps provide resources such as equipment upgrades for our student and equine athletes, travel assistance, and enhance overall team experiences. Contributions to the Mane Dawgs provide benefits such as membership gifts and information about upcoming special events. Click here for more information.
Pilla, a Ridgefield, Connecticut, native, graduated with a 3.90 GPA to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and a certificate in Entrepreneurship. She is currently pursuing an undergraduate certificate in legal studies.
She is a two-time member of the National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) All-Academic First team and has been named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll three times throughout her collegiate career. She is also a three-time J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Honor Roll honoree and was named to the SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll her freshman year. Additionally, she is a member of the UGA Leadership Education and Development program.
In the ring, the two-time team captain has been a staple in the Flat lineup throughout her five years as a UGA equestrian. She is a three-time All-American in Flat and has received two NCEA Rider of the Month honors. She was part of the 2021 NCEA National Championship team and went undefeated during the 2023 and 2024 spring seasons.
She has compiled a 42-16 career record with 11 MOP honors. She holds the highest score in Flat in the Georgia and NCEA record books, with a 99 that she earned on Swank during her junior season.
Pilla is the third overall and second consecutive Bulldog to receive SEC Equestrian Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors. Her recognition comes after graduate Caitlin Lyons was named the 2024 SEC Equestrian Scholar-Athlete of the Year at last year's SEC Equestrian Championship in College Station, Texas.
Georgia Equestrian – SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year Winners
2021 – Isabelle Heckler
2024 – Caitlin Lyons
2025 – Sophia Pilla
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.
JOIN OUR MANE DAWGS FUND: Mane Dawgs Fund contributions make a direct impact in supporting our student-athletes and equines at the Georgia Equestrian program. A gift to the Mane Dawgs fund helps provide resources such as equipment upgrades for our student and equine athletes, travel assistance, and enhance overall team experiences. Contributions to the Mane Dawgs provide benefits such as membership gifts and information about upcoming special events. Click here for more information.
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