Saturday, April 19
Ocala, Fla.
10 a.m.
University of Georgia
12
vs
8
SMU
Georgia Wins Eighth National Title
April 19, 2025 | Equestrian
The University of Georgia equestrian team earned its eighth National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) national title Saturday afternoon at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida.
The seventh-seeded Bulldogs upset the No. 2-seeded Auburn Tigers, 13-4, in the quarterfinals on Thursday, the No. 6-seeded Texas A&M Aggies, 16-4, in the semifinals Friday and the Southern Methodist University (SMU) Mustangs, 12-8, to secure their National Champion title.
Fast facts
Awards
Quotes
Head coach, Meghan Boenig
Overall thoughts following the meet today..
"It's just grateful, gratitude, it's that final breath, it's the realization of a dream, it is a legacy continued. This means we have another class again, not leaving without a championship ring. These ladies, these two seniors sitting beside me, they've set a tone for this postseason that was just absolutely phenomenal and coming in here and just laying down ride after ride. In some ways, I don't feel surprised. The foot that's been on the gas at the end of this tournament here, but in other ways, the work that goes into it, the dedication that these guys have brought, I just would sum it up with so much gratitude."
Student Athlete, Catalina Peralta
On her ride today…
"I rode Celcius today on the flat, and he's a lovely horse from Texas A&M, and when I got on him, I was very pleased and I knew that I was going to love riding him because I've ridden him once before in a meet last year, he was just so lovely and I really felt like I could show off. I wanted to kind of seal the deal for that first point in flat and set the tone for points coming in for that second rotation. So I was really grateful to be able to do that, and then I got to ride a lovely horse from Auburn named Rico in fences as well, and he was great."
Student Athlete, Jordan Davis
On her ride today…
"I got to ride a really special horse named Charlie from OSU [Oklahoma State University], and he's actually the horse that I'd had my previous high score on, so it was a really special full circle moment to get to ride him again today, and he truly is so special, and I let it all out there and I came out with the biggest smile on my face, and I don't think I've ever been happier with a ride."
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.
The seventh-seeded Bulldogs upset the No. 2-seeded Auburn Tigers, 13-4, in the quarterfinals on Thursday, the No. 6-seeded Texas A&M Aggies, 16-4, in the semifinals Friday and the Southern Methodist University (SMU) Mustangs, 12-8, to secure their National Champion title.
Fast facts
- The Bulldogs earned their eighth national Championship and second in five years.
- Head coach Meghan Boenig and alum Carly Anthony were inducted into the 2025 NCEA Hall of Fame Friday afternoon.
- The Bulldogs completed the Reining competition 3-2. Kennedy Buchanan recorded a career-high 72.2 on Chloe and earned a point for the Bulldogs, and Cadence Eger rode to a season high in Reining competition with a score of 72.7 on Boss.
- In the Horsemanship competition, Abbey Zawisza racked up a career-high score of 77.3 on Hector. Jordan Davis also earned a career-high with a 77.5 on Charlie.
- Georgia swept the Flat competition for the second straight meet in a row with its 5-0 score against the Ponies
- Catalina Peralta rode to a season-high score of 91.7 on Celcius and earned a Flat point for the Bulldogs
- The Bulldogs secured the victory with Tessa Downey's Fences score of a 90 on Sampson.
- Georgia finished the English competition 8-2.
- 11 riders collected awards following the victory.
Awards
- Kennedy Buchanan, Dual Discipline Western MOP, Reining All-Championship Team
- Catalina Peralta, Dual Discipline Jumping Seat MOP, Flat All-Championship Team
- Sophia Pilla, Flat All-Championship Team
- Isabella David, Flat All-Championship Team
- Jordan Toering, Flat All-Championship Team
- Tessa P. Brown, Fences All-Championship Team
- Tessa Downey, Fences All-Championship Team
- Alyvia Dixon, Horsemanship All-Championship Team
- Jillian Stopperich, Horsemanship All-Championship Team
- Jax Bound, Reining All-Championship Team
- Raegan Shepherd, Reining All-Championship Team
Quotes
Head coach, Meghan Boenig
Overall thoughts following the meet today..
"It's just grateful, gratitude, it's that final breath, it's the realization of a dream, it is a legacy continued. This means we have another class again, not leaving without a championship ring. These ladies, these two seniors sitting beside me, they've set a tone for this postseason that was just absolutely phenomenal and coming in here and just laying down ride after ride. In some ways, I don't feel surprised. The foot that's been on the gas at the end of this tournament here, but in other ways, the work that goes into it, the dedication that these guys have brought, I just would sum it up with so much gratitude."
Student Athlete, Catalina Peralta
On her ride today…
"I rode Celcius today on the flat, and he's a lovely horse from Texas A&M, and when I got on him, I was very pleased and I knew that I was going to love riding him because I've ridden him once before in a meet last year, he was just so lovely and I really felt like I could show off. I wanted to kind of seal the deal for that first point in flat and set the tone for points coming in for that second rotation. So I was really grateful to be able to do that, and then I got to ride a lovely horse from Auburn named Rico in fences as well, and he was great."
Student Athlete, Jordan Davis
On her ride today…
"I got to ride a really special horse named Charlie from OSU [Oklahoma State University], and he's actually the horse that I'd had my previous high score on, so it was a really special full circle moment to get to ride him again today, and he truly is so special, and I let it all out there and I came out with the biggest smile on my face, and I don't think I've ever been happier with a ride."
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.
Players Mentioned
Western
/ Equestrian
Jumping Seat
/ Equestrian
Western
/ Equestrian
Western
/ Equestrian
Jumping Seat
/ Equestrian
Western
/ Equestrian
Jumping Seat
/ Equestrian
Jumping Seat
/ Equestrian
Western
/ Equestrian
Western
/ Equestrian
Jumping Seat
/ Equestrian
Western
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