UGA equestrian team freshman Julia Spreng finished second at the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby hosted by the Collegiate Reining Championship held at the State Fair Park in Oklahoma City.

 
After riding to a tie score of 217.5 against Oklahoma State’s Hannah Mitchell, Spreng fell to Mitchell after a runoff, 222.5-220.5.
 
 
Kyndall Harper and Claudia Spreng also represented UGA. Recent graduate Claudia Spreng was an All-American selection while rising senior Harper and rising sophomore Julia Spreng were invited to compete by the NRHA.
 
 
This is the third consecutive year that Harper competed at the NRHA Collegiate Derby. She finished second in 2016.
 
 
Georgia has a long history of success at the NRHA Collegiate Reining Derby, as 11 riders have been selected to compete in program history McKenzie Lantz became the first-ever two-time winner, while Lauren Tieche finished second in both 2012 and 2014.
 
 
The NRHA Derby runs for one week each summer in Oklahoma City and showcases the world’s best reining horses in the four to six year age range. Thousands of spectators, exhibitors, and horses attend the event each year. The Derby is one of two major events presented by the NRHA each year in Oklahoma City. For more information on this year’s Derby, visit www.nrhaderby.com.