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EQ: No. 1 Georgia Defeats No. 8 Baylor in Season Opener, 17-3

The No. 1 University of Georgia equestrian team defeated No. 8 Baylor, 17-3, in the season opener at the UGA Equestrian Complex on Friday, sweeping the Bears in both Horsemanship and Reining. 

Fast Facts

• Georgia beat Baylor 5-0 in Horsemanship to open up the meet. Freshman Ava Hathaway posted the Bulldogs’ highest score with a 75 in her first career ride, while senior Alyvia Dixon scored a 74.5. 
• The Bulldogs defeated the Bears 4-1 in Fences. Junior Tessa Downey rode to an 88 to win her point and tally the highest score in the event for Georgia. 
• Georgia edged out Baylor in Flat 3-2. Senior Tessa P. Brown earned the Bulldogs’ highest score with a 77.
• The Bulldogs swept the Bears in Reining to close the meet. Shelby Lynch led the Bulldogs with a score of 71.5, and junior Kendall Buchanan posted a score of 71 to win her point for Georgia. 
• Hathaway received her first Most Outstanding Performer honors for her performance in Horsemanship, while Buchanan was recognized for her performance in Reining.

Key Quotes
Georgia head coach Meghan Boenig
On the team’s performance…
“What a beautiful day to be out here. Just an incredible, infectious crowd. Huge, big scores, the sweep in both Horsemanship and Reining, it was a spectacular day. Of course, these Dawgs are hungry and they want to close some little things that happened– most of it from pushing and really going after it– but it was a wonderful day.”

On winning the season opener…
“I think what you’re seeing in that good performance today was one, a couple of new faces coming in there. Look at that MOP in our horsemanship– wonderful ride. There is a lot of good stuff coming. You also see some veterans coming in there and laying it out, whether it was going against a difficult ride or a horse that was being difficult. There is some leadership really coming from our underclassmen last year, who are coming and taking the reins and setting us up for the upcoming year.” 

Kennedy Buchanan | Reining | Senior 
On her performance in the season opener…
“I think it was a great opener to our season. I rode a horse that we have never shown before, so that was exciting. There were some variables that we were unsure about, but I think it went really well.”

On the crowd and atmosphere…
“There were definitely a lot of people here today because we’re having our ring ceremony. I think just the energy was great. I don’t really get nervous with all the people. I think it’s just fun to have so many people here supporting and just yelling and having a good time.”

Up Next
Georgia will hit the road next week to face off against Delaware State and Centenary (Jumping Seat only) on Friday, Oct. 10 at the Dovington Training Center.

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