The Georgia equestrian team finished up its regular season with a 10-4 win over Southern Methodist University in the English-only competition Saturday at the Animal Science Arena.

“I was very happy to end the regular season this way. We had a lot of very, very strong rides,” said head coach Meghan Boenig.

“It’s that time of year that we certainly want to keep stepping it up. And I think that happened this weekend.”

Despite consecutive losses against South Carolina and Kansas State in previous weeks, the team finished out the season and gained a boost of confidence.

“We needed this confidence terribly,” Boenig said.

In equitation over fences – an event in which each rider executes a predetermined course of jumps – riders Marion Cosby, Ashley Chandler, Cordy Allsopp and Logan Fiorentino gave Georgia a close 4-3 win for the event.

Fiorentino, a senior rider, earned MVP honors for the day.

“It’s a really nice honor and recognition. Everybody rode really well today. It was a nice way to finish my home senior season,” Fiorentino said.

Some of Fiorentino’s teammates, including Allsopp, overcame difficult warm ups.

“What I was most pleased with was the riders that came in after having that tough warms up and just laid it down. They knew it was time to ride hard. I think that’s good preparation for our postseason,” Boenig said.

Following the first event, senior team members Megan Darby, Brooke Davidson, Sarah Dunsmore, Fiorentino, Tricia Fowler, Anna Hichborn, Leslie Immel and Kelly Winsco were recognized in a ceremony.

Each girl received flowers and a plaque, as well as a handshake from Athletic Director Damon Evans.

In equitation on the flat – an event where each rider completes a pattern of maneuvers judged on the rider’s position and ability to control the horse – the Bulldogs finished off the meet with a 6-1 win in the event.

The team will begin postseason competition April 6 at Auburn in the Southern Equestrian Championships.