The second-ranked Georgia equestrian team defeated ninth-ranked Fresno State on the road, 10-8, to open their season with a win.

 
Holding a one-point advantage with one ride remaining in the meet, senior Bailey Anderson rode to an impressive score of 80.5 in Horsemanship to give the No. 2 Georgia equestrian team a 10-8 victory over No. 9 Fresno State on Friday afternoon in the team’s season opener.
 
 
Anderson earned Most Outstanding Performance honors for her ride along with sophomore Annabeth Payne, who earned the honor for Reining.
 
 
Three Bulldogs made their starting lineup debut, including freshman Jordan Carpenter (Reining), sophomore Julia Spreng (Reining), and sophomore Ali Tritschler (Equitation Over Fences).
 
 
“Today was a good fight,” head coach Meghan Boenig said. “I’m really impressed with the focus, especially our final events, continuing to push after a long day. They came out and rode strong. Bailey Anderson’s score was so well deserved and I’m so proud. It was a great day. There are great things to come and lessons to be learned for the future. We are excited to keep going.”
 
 
Georgia fell behind early in Equitation on the Flat, 2-1. Senior captain Addy Cord earned the lone point for the Bulldogs in the event with a 70-68 defeat over Fresno State’s Brooke Nelson. Maddy Darst and Grace Bridges both rode to ties against their opponents with scores of 73 and 70, respectively.
 
 
Georgia evened the overall score after Equitation Over Fences, earning three points in the event. Junior Emma Mandarino defeated FSU’s Paige Pastorino, 77-40. Sophomore Sydney outrode her opponent, 72-68. Tritschler earned her first career point for the Bulldogs with a 64-60 defeat over Fresno State’s Alex Dirickson.
 
 
The score was knotted at four points each at the conclusion of Hunt Seat events.
 
 
The Reining squad gave Georgia its first lead of the meet. In her first collegiate ride, freshman Jordan Carpenter rode to a 72-69 victory over Fresno State’s Ally Frias. Junior Graysen Stroud outscored Allison Nordvall, 64.5-62, before Annabeth Payne defeated Taylor Dixon, 72-68.
 
 
Georgia topped Fresno State 3-2 in Horsemanship to clinch the win. Stroud defeated her opponent by a slim margin before Madison Anger rode to a 72.5-69 over Fresno State’s Taeya Harle. Anderson closed out the meet with an event-high 80.5 over Julia Kelly’s score of 74.
 
 
Georgia’s home opener is scheduled for Friday, October 13 at 11:00 a.m. against SEC rival and No. 1-ranked Texas A&M.