No. 2 Georgia's equestrian team secured a 12-7 victory over No. 3 Texas A&M in their spring home opener at the University of Georgia Equestrian Complex in Bishop, Georgia. The Bulldogs dominated in horsemanship and reining while splitting the flat event. Multiple riders earned most outstanding performer honors across disciplines.
The competition began with the fences portion, where Georgia's sophomore Ella Witt scored an 86 on Constantine for a point, followed by senior Tessa Brown's 86.5 on Perry. Junior Tessa Downey clinched the section with an 88 on Tito, earning the fences most outstanding performer (MOP) award—her third of the season. Texas A&M's Grace Shipman posted an 88.5 personal best and Alida Treuting scored 85 for their two points, giving Georgia a 3-2 lead.
In horsemanship, Georgia swept four straight points: junior Lyla Bellar on Henry, senior Kendall McClintock on Jerry, senior Abbey Zawisza on Olive with a 76.5 for MOP (her second this season), and senior Alyvia Dixon on Teddy—all scoring 73.5 or higher. Texas A&M's Kendall Dirksen scored 76.75 for their lone point, resulting in a 4-1 Georgia win and a 7-3 halftime lead.
The flat event saw Georgia's senior Maggie Bresch score 83.5 on Snookie and Tessa Brown add 89 on Gabe for the MOP and her second point. Freshman Kingsley Dey and Texas A&M's Kate Egan tied at 86, nulling the point. A&M's Londyn Samlaska (85.5 personal best) and Logan Thomas (84 personal best) secured their team's points, ending flat 2-2.
Reining concluded with Georgia's junior Kennedy Buchanan at 73.5 on Leonard, senior Shelby Lynch at 73 on Gambler, and junior Cadence Egar at 73.75 on Mr. Boaz for a 3-2 edge. Texas A&M's Mattie Gustin earned MOP with 71.75 on JJ (her second MOP this season), and Moriah McQueen scored 72.5.
Georgia did not allow Texas A&M to win any discipline outright, improving their record. The Bulldogs next face South Carolina on the road, while the Aggies host SMU on February 14.
