Greenbrier equestrian signs with Georgia

Melanie Carraway doesn't expect many people to understand her relationship with some of her closest friends.

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There was Molly, when Carraway was 6, and then Chip, and now Tango.

The Greenbrier senior, who signed April 15 to ride for University of Georgia's equestrian team, knew each of her ponies and horses well.

"The relationship between you and a horse is next to none," Carraway said. "It's like my therapy."

Molly was Carraway's first pony, which she got when she started riding at age 6. Mary Ann Parmelee, a trainer in Aiken who has worked with Carraway since she began, tried to pick a calm animal.

Molly fit the bill, though she was probably bigger than Carraway's parents would have liked.

"She was a little, tiny girl," Parmelee said. "But I knew of a safe pony that was way bigger than she needed."

Carraway moved from Molly to Chip, a show pony, and began racking up wins.

Then she hit a growth spurt, and it was time for a horse.

Tango is a warm blood from Argentina. Carraway has ridden him almost four years, but is trying to sell him now.

Georgia has its own stable of horses.

"I'm really sad about that, but that's part of it,' Carraway said. "It was an investment, and I was lucky enough to have a horse like that."

Tango helped Carraway earn a spot on Georgia's roster. She started the process by filling out an online survey before her senior year, and submitting multiple videos of her riding. Georgia coaches then sent letters to each candidate who didn't make the team. Carraway never received one.

There are other college programs available for riders. Many of Parmelee's students have chosen the University of South Carolina. A Greenbrier student last year received a scholarship to ride at Baylor.

But Carraway said she would not have considered riding anywhere else.

"I didn't even apply (other places)," Carraway said. "I knew I wanted to go to Georgia. I'm thrilled that they wanted me."

Carraway planned to show Tango in the Aiken Spring Classic held this weekend. She said she would like to keep riding during the summer, even if Tango is sold.

She's already met with her future Bulldogs teammates and expects her transition to be smooth.

"The girls on that team are amazing," she said. "I'm so thrilled to be a part of that team."