Oct. 20, 2011

ATHENS, Ga. - The fourth-ranked Georgia equestrian team opens its home slate against a tough field of ranked opponents this weekend at the Georgia Equestrian Complex. The Bulldogs (0-1) will welcome No. 7 Kansas State (1-1) and ninth-ranked TCU (0-3) to Bishop, Ga., as they look to improve on their 44-1 all-time dual home meet record.

The Bulldogs will take on Kansas State at 9:30 a.m., on Saturday and face TCU on Sunday at 10 a.m. The Wildcats and Horned Frogs will face off on Saturday afternoon at approximately 1:15 p.m. Admission to all meets is free.

"We are really looking forward to our first regular season competition at home," head coach Meghan Boenig said. "We hope to have good weather and a good crowd to create an exciting atmosphere for all the teams." 

The Bulldogs look to build off an impressive performance against Texas A&M, where they tied the Aggies in both equitation over fences and reining. UGA had strong rides against the Aggies, including MVP riders by Abby O'Mara (fences) and Carly Anthony (flat). 

Georgia has seen its share of success against Kansas State, owning a sterling 5-1 record against the Wildcats. KSU has become a regular opponent over the last few years, as the teams have faced one another in five of the last six seasons. Georgia came away with a 14-6 win last season.

"The competition against Kansas State will be a good test for our team," added Boenig. "Kansas State has a very successful Western team and rising Hunt Seat team. We are ready to use what we learned from Texas A&M and showcase our strengths and our talent against the Wildcats." 

The series between Texas Christian and the Bulldogs has been an exciting one, as the teams are tied with three wins each. Georgia won the last meeting between the teams in dominating fashion, earning a 17-2 victory.  Overall, three of the last six competitions have come down to a tiebreaker, including a 978-974.5 Georgia win at the 2010 Varsity Equestrian National Championships.

"The TCU meet will be very special for our team, as we will face our former coach Logan Fiorentino. Historically TCU has been at the top of the sport in the Western discipline, but with Coach Fiorentino at the helm, I anticipate the Hunt Seat to grow as well. Our game plan is to be prepared and be thorough in everything that we do."

Kansas State and TCU will face off on Saturday afternoon in a neutral site competition. The Horned Frogs currently own a 2-1 overall record against K-State, having defeated the Wildcats, 5-3, in Hunt Seat last season at nationals.

"We're looking forward to having the neutral site competition for TCU and Kansas State," continued Boenig. "We want to make sure that teams get good competition rides while they are on the road. It also give our team the chance to see the judging and the rides from an outside perspective"

Live scoring for each of the competitions will be available at www.georgiadogs.com.

Georgia vs. Kansas

Fences:

Michelle Morris, Senior

Abby O'Mara, Sophomore

Kylee Arbuckle, Freshman

Carly Anthony, Junior

Olivia Dorey, Sophomore

Louise Ashley, Sophomore

Katie Brown, Senior

Madi Clark, Freshman

Flat:

Olivia Dorey, Sophomore

Megan Southam, Freshman

Caitlyn Francis, Sophomore

Michelle Morris, Senior

Grace Rogers, Junior

Allison Haspel, Junior

Abby O'Mara, Sophomore

Kylee Arbuckle, Freshman

Horsemanship:

Katelyn Van Allen, Senior

Maria Salazar, Junior

Megan Hawkins, Junior

Sara Parr, Freshman

Paige Stawicki, Freshman

Anna Sasser, Sophomore

Jaclyn Beckley, Sophomore

Sarah Gravely, Senior

Reining:

Kelly Truesdell, Senior

Becca Haaland, Junior

McKenzie Lantz, Sophomore

Samantha Belcher, Freshman

Caroline Blackshear, Freshman

Jackie Hoyt, Sophomore

Georgia vs TCU

Fences:

Michelle Morris, Senior

Abby O'Mara, Sophomore

Isabel Jolicoeur, Sophomore

Carly Anthony, Junior

Olivia Dorey, Sophomore

Emily van der Walde, Sophomore

Jessica Buchko, Senior

Hannah Spiegler, Freshman

Flat:

Olivia Dorey, Sophomore

Abby O'Mara, Sophomore

Caitlyn Francis, Sophomore

Melanie Carraway, Junior

Carly Anthony, Junior

Ali Sullivan, Junior

Megan Southam, Freshman

Amelia Rogers, Senior

Horsemanship:

Megan Hawkins, Junior

Sara Parr, Freshman

Maria Salazar, Junior

Anna Sasser, Sophomore

Paige Stawicki, Freshman

Katelyn Van Allen, Senior

Sarah Gravely, Senior

Jacklyn Beckley, Sophomore

Reining:

Samantha Belcher, Freshman

Becca Haaland, Junior

Jackie Hoyt, Sophomore

McKenzie Lantz, Sophomore

Kelly Truesdell, Senior

Morgan Collins, Sophomore

Caroline Blackshear, Freshman

Kansas State vs TCU

Fences Demo:

Melanie Carraway, Junior

Flat Demo:

Kelsey Berry, Senior

Katie Crump, Sophomore

Horsemanship Demo:

Megan Yeager, Junior