ATHENS, Ga. --- The early national signing period again proved fruitful for the Georgia Equestrian program.  Highly-regarded hunt seat prospects Isabel Jolicoeur of Wellington, Fla., and Abby O’Mara of Rumson, N.J., have both signed national letters-of-intent to attend UGA and ride for the Bulldogs next season, according to an announcement by head coach Meghan Boenig.

Jolicoeur is currently a senior at St. Andrew’s School in Boca Raton, Fla.  She comes to Georgia with a long and varied list of successes in riding competitions.  Just in the past year alone, she represented the U.S. in winning at the German Invitational Friendship Games.  She also earned top honors at the following prestigious horse shows:  Winter Equestrian Festival, Blainville International Horse Show and Vermont High Junior Jumper Classic.

“Isabel has such a unique background in jumping,” Boenig said.  “Her international training, the level at which she has competed, will certainly benefit her as she makes the transition collegiate athletics.  We’re very, very excited to have her joining our program next year.”

Jolicoeur has trained with a number of noted instructors, most notably her father, Pierre Jolicoeur, who has instructed many Olympians in the sport and also designs a popular line of saddlery.  She has also been selected as a Junior Ambassador to Just World International, a global organization that inspires positive changes for children in developing countries.

O’Mara is in her senior year at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional School.   She, too, already has a long list of honors and awards as a young rider.  Just in 2009, O’Mara qualified for and competed at the Devon Horse Show, USEF Medal Finals, ASPCA Macaly Finals, Pennsylvania National Horse Show, and the Washington International Horse Show.  She was also a circuit champion in the Small Junior Hunters division at the Ocala, Fla., show in the prestigious HITS series.

“Abby has really had an impressive past year of showing,” Boenig said.  “She has a really good, soft feel on a horse and has recorded a lot of solid, positive rides.  I believe she’s going to continue her streak of great riding next year and beyond with the Bulldogs.”

O’Mara won the Hand Hunter Challenge class on her horse Lyle at the 2009 Capital Challenge Horse Show in Maryland.  She was also Small Jr. Hunter champion, Grand Small Jr. Hunter champion, Overall Jr. Hunter Grand Champion, and selected 3rd in the Best Jr. Rider category at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show.