Nov. 10, 2011

ATHENS, Ga. - The No. 3 Georgia equestrian team will host No. 1 Auburn this Friday at the Georgia Equestrian Complex in Bishop, Ga., in a rematch of the 2011 National Championship. The meet will begin at 2 p.m., and admission is free.

"We are competing in our second consecutive meet against a SEC foe and are up for the challenge," head coach Meghan Boenig said. "We know that Auburn is a strong team, as are all of the SEC teams, but we still have the same job to do every time we go in the ring. We strive for excellence in every ride that we have every weekend, regardless of the opponent."

Georgia is coming off an 11-9 win over then-No. 4 South Carolina that helped the Bulldogs move to 3-1 on the year. Auburn improved to 6-0 last weekend when it defeated both South Dakota State and Delaware State.

The Bulldogs look to protect its sterling 46-1 all-time home dual-meet record, something that the team prides itself on. 

"We are looking forward to defending our home turf, which is something that is very important to us," continued Boenig. "We are very excited about facing Auburn and challenging that team. Our riders are more than capable of competing against Auburn and know that they have a job to do this weekend. I am confident that they will go out and succeed."

Last season at home, Georgia handed the Tigers an 11-9 loss, taking the equitation on the flat, equitation over fences and reining events. Michelle Morris, Kacy Jenkins and Becca Haaland each scored MVP rides in the meet.

The teams met again in the Varsity Equestrian National Championship. The Western team used scoring rides by Maria Salazar and Katelyn Van Allen and a tie by Anna Sasser to hold on for a 4-3 victory. Though the Bulldogs fell short of the national crown, Georgia added to its impressive trophy case, which is made up of five national titles, a national reserve title and six Southern Equestrian Championships, by taking home its second Reserve Championship. 

"The western team is going to continue to go out and focus on their goals," added assistant coach Mary Meneely. "I always tell the riders that it is a faceless opponent and that it is their day to go out and show everyone what they have been working toward. I am extremely proud of them up to this point and we will continue to press forward and take care of the little things."

Live scoring will be available for the event at www.georgiadogs.com

Lineup
Equitation on the Flat
Carly Anthony, Junior
Michelle Morris, Senior 
Grace Rogers, Junior 
Olivia Dorey, Sophomore 
Megan Southam, Freshman 
Melanie Carraway, Junior 
Caitlyn Francis, Sophomore 
Kylee Arbuckle, Freshman

Equitation Over Fences
Carly Anthony, Junior 
Michelle Morris, Senior 
Kylee Arbuckle Freshman 
Olivia Dorey, Sophomore 
Abby O'Mara, Sophomore 
Katie Hagerty, Senior 
Emily van der Walde, Sophomore 
Megan Southam, Freshman

Horsemanship
Katelyn Van Allen, Senior 
Maria Salazar, Junior 
Megan Hawkins, Junior  
Anna Sasser, Sophomore 
Paige Stawicki, Freshman 
Sara Parr, Freshman 
Sarah Gravely, Senior 
Jaclyn Beckley, Sophomore

Reining
Kelly Truesdell, Senior 
Becca Haaland, Junior 
McKenzie Lantz, Sophomore 
Samantha Belcher, Sophomore 
Lauren Tieche, Freshman 
Jackie Hoyt, Sophomore 
Caroline Blackshear, Freshman