Georgia Defeats South Carolina, 11-9, to Advance to SEC Championship Finals

Friday, March 27

Auburn, Ala.

11 a.m. ET

University of Georgia

South Carolina

UGA Equestrian celebrate advancing to the finals of the 2026 SEC Equestrian Championship

Photo: Noelle Iglesias/Auburn Athletics

Photo by: Auburn Athletics

Georgia Defeats South Carolina, 11-9, to Advance to SEC Championship Finals

March 27, 2026 | Equestrian

13 SECs Georgia vs. SC

AUBURN, Ala. – The third-seeded Georgia equestrian team defeated the second-seeded South Carolina, 11-9, to advance to the finals of the 2026 SEC Equestrian Championship at the Auburn University Equestrian Center in Auburn, Alabama.

Fast Facts

South Carolina edged out the Bulldogs 3-2 in Flat. Freshman Kingsley Dey earned the first point for Georgia, riding to a score of 82. The final point of the event was captured by junior Parker Cliff, who also defeated her opponent with a score of 82.
In Reining, Georgia defeated the Gamecocks 4-1. Senior Shelby Lynch won her point with a score of 68.33. Avery Taylor and Kennedy Buchanan added two points to the Georgia total, with scores of 69.5 and 71.5. Raegan Shepherd captured the final point in the event, extending the Bulldogs' lead to 6-4 at the end of the first half.
The Gamecocks took the win in Fences 3-2. Sophomore Ella Witt captured the first of Georgia's two points with a 77.67-point performance. Junior Liza Cram rode to a new career high score of 80 to secure the point over her opponent.
In the final event of the meet, Georgia took the win in Horsemanship 3-2. Senior Kendall McClintock rode to a stellar score of 75.5 to outscore her opponent. Abbey Zawisza earned her eighth victory of the year, after her 70.5-point win. Freshman Ava Hathaway secured the win for Georgia, riding to a score of 70.5 to capture the final point of the meet.
Two Georgia riders were recognized as the Most Outstanding Performers in their respective disciplines. Senior Kendall McClintock earned her first career MOP nod, after her score of 75.5 in Horsemanship. Junior Kennedy Buchanan was recognized as the MOP in Reining for her 71.5-point ride, her second of the season.
With Friday's semifinal win, Georgia advances to Saturday's Championship Meet for the first time since the 2020-21 season.

Up Next
Georgia will face the winner of No. 1 Auburn and No. 4 Texas A&M in the championship on Saturday at 12 p.m. ET.

#3 GEORGIA 11, #2 SOUTH CAROLINA 9

FENCES
Natalie Jayne (SC) def. Tessa Brown (UGA) 89.67-84
Ella Witt (UGA) def. Alyssa Bauer (SC) 77.67-71.67
Bella Primavera (SC) def. Tessa Downey (UGA/SC) 81-64
Amira Kettaneh (SC)* def. Madison Nadolenco (UGA) 86-80.33
Liza Cram (UGA) def. Grace Rabb (SC) 80-68

FLAT
Vanessa McCaughley (SC) def. Maggie Bresch (UGA) 81-74.33
Kingsley Dey (UGA) def. Amira Kettaneh (SC) 82-81.33
Natalie Jayne (SC)* def. Tessa Brown (UGA) 85.33-80
Parker Cliff (UGA) def. Sarah Rabb (SC) 82-79.67
Mary Hunter Millet (SC) def. Ella Duffy (UGA) 82.33-72.67

HORSEMANSHIP
Alexis Potts (SC) def. Alyvia Dixon (UGA) 75.33-78.83
Kendall McClintock (UGA)* def. Alyssa Jupping (SC) 75.5-73.67
Ruby Voortmeyer (SC) def. Lyla Bellar (UGA) 71-70
Abbey Zawisza (UGA) def. Lillian Laney (SC) 73.33-73.17
Ava Hathaway (UGA) def. Carly Jenkins (SC) 70.5-68.33

REINING
Olivia Cardi (SC) def. Cadence Eger (UGA) 70.17-69.33
Shelby Lynch (UGA) def. Opal Fomish (SC) 68.33-66.67
Kennedy Buchanan (UGA)* def. Emily Patton (SC) 71.5-70.83
Avery Taylor (UGA) def. Alexis Potts (SC) 69.5-67.83
Raegan Shepherd (UGA) def. Gracie Mae Stingle (SC) 70.67-57.17