COLLEGE STATION – The Texas A&M equestrian team, ranked No. 7 nationally, opens the 2015 competition season on the road at the defending Southeastern Conference champion Georgia Bulldogs on Friday with the meet scheduled to start at 9 am central in Bishop, Georgia. Georgia is currently the preseason No. 1 squad in the poll.
Â
Texas A&M head coach Tana McKay led the Aggies to an 8-7 overall record in 2014-15 and a 3-3 mark in SEC competition. The Aggies finished the year ranked No. 4 in the final poll and reached the NCEA National Quarterfinals in Waco. Texas A&M hosted the SEC Championships in April of 2015 finishing second to Georgia, dropping a 12-5 decision.
Â
"I am really looking forward to getting our season started," McKay said. "The girls have put in a lot of hard work in a short amount of time. This is a tough way to start the season, playing the country's No. 1-ranked team in their home arena. I believe our girls are up to the challenge and we welcome the competition."
Â
The Bulldogs and Aggies split a pair of meets during the 2014-15 regular season with Texas A&M winning at home, 11-7, and Georgia returned the favor in Georgia with a 13-6 decision.
Â
"We have created a lot of momentum from the end of last season and combined with the great preparation we have been doing this past month, I believe we are ready for this season," Aggie captain Audrey Gallagher said. "We are looking forward to the first meet this week."
Â
Georgia, the 2015 NCEA national runner-up and defending Southeastern Conference Champion, sees its western squad led by a Texas A&M former student and former rider, Laura Brainard.
Â
The Aggies competed in a Maroon & White Exhibition (Sept. 18) at the Hildebrand Equine Complex.
Â
Â
Texas A&M head coach Tana McKay led the Aggies to an 8-7 overall record in 2014-15 and a 3-3 mark in SEC competition. The Aggies finished the year ranked No. 4 in the final poll and reached the NCEA National Quarterfinals in Waco. Texas A&M hosted the SEC Championships in April of 2015 finishing second to Georgia, dropping a 12-5 decision.
Â
"I am really looking forward to getting our season started," McKay said. "The girls have put in a lot of hard work in a short amount of time. This is a tough way to start the season, playing the country's No. 1-ranked team in their home arena. I believe our girls are up to the challenge and we welcome the competition."
Â
The Bulldogs and Aggies split a pair of meets during the 2014-15 regular season with Texas A&M winning at home, 11-7, and Georgia returned the favor in Georgia with a 13-6 decision.
Â
"We have created a lot of momentum from the end of last season and combined with the great preparation we have been doing this past month, I believe we are ready for this season," Aggie captain Audrey Gallagher said. "We are looking forward to the first meet this week."
Â
Georgia, the 2015 NCEA national runner-up and defending Southeastern Conference Champion, sees its western squad led by a Texas A&M former student and former rider, Laura Brainard.
Â
The Aggies competed in a Maroon & White Exhibition (Sept. 18) at the Hildebrand Equine Complex.
Â