Aggies advance to SEC Championship Final

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - No. 3-seed Texas A&M Equestrian opened the first round of the SEC Championship with a 12-8 victory over No. 2-seed Georgia Friday at the Hildebrand Equine Complex.

Texas A&M (10-4) advances to the SEC Championship final for the second time in history, joining the 2015 squad, and will face No. 1 Auburn. The meet is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. with free admission.

For the first time ever, the final will be live streamed on SEC Network + and the Watch ESPN app.

In the meet's first event, Equitation on the Flat, the Aggies wasted no time jumping out to a 3-0 lead, with Brianna Peddicord, Caroline Dance and Rhian Murphy earning victories. Peddicord topped Grace Bridges, 185-183, before Caroline Dance defeated Maddy Darst, 183-159. Rhian Murphy scored a 249, bettering Madison Newman's 243. Rebekah Chenelle closed the event with a 250-248 win over Ali Tritschler, earning Most Outstanding Player (MOP) honors and the Aggies fourth point in the event.

In Horsemanship, the Aggies took the event, 4-1. Ashley Davidson struck first for the Aggies, defeating Madison Anger 217-204.5, before Alex Albright defeated Sara Lewis 218.5-215.5. Katie Conklin earned MOP honors with her 221-212 victory over Maddie Fiorante. Ashley Sioco concluded the event for the Aggies, defeating Lexie Lane, 214-208.5.

In Reining, Marissa Harrell defeated Julia Spreng, 205-197, earning the lone point for the Maroon & White in the event.

The Aggies concluded the meet with a 3-2 triumph in Equitation over Fences. Haley Redifer defeated Tritschler, 240-185, before Dance topped Darst, 245-239. Grace Boston earned MOP honors for her ride, edging out Hayley Mairano, 255-254.

Georgia and South Carolina will meet in the consolation match Saturday at 9 a.m.