**“Defending Champs Locked In: Georgia Equestrian Unveils 2025-26 Schedule with Key SEC Clashes and Title Defense on the Line”**

The Georgia equestrian team is not just preparing for another season—they are preparing to defend a national title and uphold a legacy. With the announcement of their 2025-26 competition schedule, head coach Meghan Boenig and her reigning National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) champions have put the rest of the country on notice: the Bulldogs are coming back for more. And this time, they’re aiming not only to repeat but to dominate from the opening ride to the final whistle in Ocala. Every meet is a statement opportunity. Every fence cleared, every reining pattern mastered, and every flat ride perfected will serve as another brick in the wall of what Georgia hopes will be a back-to-back championship season.

The journey begins close to home with the annual Red & Black Scrimmage on September 20 in Bishop, Georgia. While technically an internal event, the scrimmage serves as an essential tune-up and a revealing glimpse into who’s ready to lead and who’s ready to emerge from the shadows. For Georgia, the scrimmage isn’t just about fun and school spirit—it’s about establishing tone, chemistry, and competitive edge. It’s the moment when veterans reaffirm their readiness and freshmen get their first feel of the saddle under the bright lights of collegiate expectations. Coach Boenig, in her 23rd season at the helm, understands how important that early season foundation can be. A championship team is not forged in April; it begins in September with every detail, every cue, every ride.

Just two weeks later, Georgia opens its regular season on October 3 at home against Baylor. This matchup, held in Bishop, is no throwaway—it’s a pivotal early-season test. Baylor is consistently one of the top programs in collegiate equestrian, and meeting them at home provides an opportunity for Georgia to immediately assert its dominance. It’s also a powerful homecoming moment—a chance for the crowd to erupt, the banners to wave, and the national champions to showcase the caliber that brought them the title months prior. The intensity and standard set in this meet will ripple across the season.

Then comes the first road trip of the campaign, and it’s a challenging one. On October 10, the Bulldogs will compete in a double-header in Felton, Delaware—first against host Delaware State and then against Centenary in Jumping Seat. This is not just a travel meet; it’s a test of depth and resilience. It will test how Georgia performs outside the comfort of their home barn. It will test how they rotate their lineup, manage fatigue, and remain mentally locked in for two different opponents on the same day. These types of matchups are often overlooked on paper but are critical in evaluating whether a team has the grit and composure needed for the long haul of the season.

Returning to Bishop on October 24 and 25, Georgia will face two strong programs in South Carolina and UC Davis. These back-to-back home meets bring high stakes and rival intensity. The Gamecocks have long been SEC rivals, and any time they meet the Bulldogs, records and rankings go out the window. These contests are often dogfights—closely contested battles where every rider, every ride, and every judge’s card carries championship implications. UC Davis, meanwhile, brings a West Coast flair to the heart of Georgia. Their Jumping Seat program is on the rise, and they’ve built a reputation for pulling off surprise upsets. For Georgia, defending home turf and staying perfect in Bishop is non-negotiable. These October showdowns could define the fall portion of the season.

November sends the Bulldogs into the heart of Texas, where challenges loom large and the margin for error shrinks. Georgia visits TCU on November 7 in Burleson, Texas—a place known for its rowdy crowds and hard-nosed horsemanship. TCU is a perennial postseason team and taking them on their home soil will require Georgia to be locked in from start to finish. Less than 24 hours later, the team rolls into College Station to face Texas A\&M on November 8. This back-to-back in Texas is a season-defining gauntlet. Both TCU and A\&M possess depth, talent, and pride. Georgia’s ability to ride out of Texas with victories could very well shift the national rankings and influence postseason seeding.

The fall finale comes on November 21, and it’s a blockbuster: Georgia travels to Auburn, Alabama. Auburn has been one of Georgia’s fiercest rivals in equestrian, and this is a matchup that never lacks intensity. The Tigers have historically challenged Georgia in the SEC and nationally, and this late fall meeting could serve as a potential SEC Championship preview. No matter the records entering the meet, Auburn vs. Georgia always delivers drama, high-level performance, and emotional weight. It’s a rivalry that transcends the arena and bleeds into the ethos of both athletic departments. Winning at Auburn would be a massive confidence boost heading into the winter break.

After a few months of rest and recalibration, the Bulldogs return to action on January 30 with a road trip to UT Martin. It’s another tricky test in a traditionally hostile setting. January meets often reveal how well a team has managed its winter training, how quickly they can ramp back up into competition form, and how prepared they are for the grueling stretch run. UT Martin may not have the marquee name of some SEC foes, but they’re scrappy, disciplined, and capable of catching teams off guard if underestimated.

February cranks up the intensity, with Georgia hosting Texas A\&M again on February 7—an opportunity for redemption or reinforcement depending on what happened in November. Facing the same opponent twice in one season is a blessing and a challenge. Coaches adjust. Riders adapt. The storylines evolve. Whether Georgia is looking to avenge a loss or complete a sweep, this home meet against the Aggies will be circled in red.

Then comes a pivotal visit to South Carolina on February 14. This Valentine’s Day showdown is all business—no love lost. The Gamecocks, like the Bulldogs, are steeped in tradition and built on fierce competitiveness. Georgia knows that a win in Blythewood can dramatically improve their SEC standings and postseason resume. But it won’t come easy—South Carolina’s barn is one of the most difficult places to win on the road, with local fans and horses that know every inch of the arena.

The final regular-season meet comes February 28 at home against Auburn. By this point, every ride has postseason implications. Whether it’s jockeying for SEC seeding, building momentum, or avenging a fall loss, this home finale is bound to be a firestorm. The Bulldogs will be aiming to send a loud message not just to Auburn, but to the entire NCEA: Georgia is not just ready—they’re roaring.

Once the regular season concludes, Georgia will turn its attention to the postseason. The SEC Championship, scheduled for March 27-28 in Auburn, Alabama, is the first step. The Bulldogs, as reigning national champs, are also perennial contenders for the SEC crown. Winning the conference isn’t just about bragging rights—it’s about building momentum, securing a top seed, and sharpening focus before nationals. The SEC is arguably the most competitive conference in collegiate equestrian, and lifting that trophy would serve as a powerful precursor to the main event.

The season concludes with the NCEA National Championship on April 16-18 in Ocala, Florida—a venue where legacies are cemented and dreams either come true or fall just short. Georgia walked out of Ocala as champions last season, riding with poise, power, and an unshakeable belief. Now, they’ll return as the hunted. Every opponent will bring their best against them. Every meet will be another chance to knock off the defending champs. But if there’s one program built for that pressure, it’s Georgia. With a deep, talented roster, seasoned coaching staff, and a battle-tested culture of excellence, the Bulldogs are ready to ride for glory again.

The schedule is grueling. The road is unforgiving. But that’s exactly how Coach Boenig wants it. Georgia doesn’t hide from tough competition—they seek it. They embrace it. Because they know that to be the best, you have to beat the best. And in 2025-26, Georgia has no interest in handing that title over. They’re determined to defend it, one ride at a time.