USC Equestrian makes a good showing at first show of the season

Sept. 28, 2002

Irmo, SC – The South Carolina Equestrian Team started their season off on the right foot Saturday as they took third place wins in both Hunter Seat and Western. Eleven teams from Zone 5 Region 2 competed in both Hunter Seat and Western at the all day event held at Irish Oaks Equestrian Centre, in Irmo.

The Hunter Seat team placed third overall behind Auburn, who came in second, and Berry College, who won the competition. First place finishes for South Carolina were claimed by Freshman Tara Brothers in Open Flat, Senior Brooke Spitzer in Intermediate Flat, and Senior Jessica Keels in Novice Flat. USC also had seven other equestrians place second in their respective hunt seat classes.

Freshman Courtney Borton was named the Reserve High Point Rider in Western after a ride-off. Borton placed first in Open Western Horsemanship. Other highlights in Western were second place finishes by Sophomore Kerrie Reeves in Advanced II Western Horsemanship and Freshman Laura Pipken in Advanced I Western Horsemanship. The Western Team placed third overall behind Georgia in second and Auburn in first.

“Individually we are all great riders, not to mention great athletes,” said Freshman Courtney Borton. “Hosting all of these schools was a very unique way to begin the season.”

Results Hunter Seat

Open Flat Section 1 2nd-Tracy Tomala Section 2 1st-Tara Brothers 3rd-Chelsea Koornick 4th-Sarah Tomasi

Intermediate Flat Section 1 1st-Brooke Spitzer 5th-Molly Harrison Section 2 2nd-Alexis Pospischil Open Over Fences 2nd-Sarah Tomasi

Intermediate Over Fences 3rd-Chelsea Koornick

Novice Flat- Section 1 1st-Jessica Keels 3rd-Lisa Wilson Section 2 6th-Kerrie Reeves Section 3 4th-Lindsey Wilson

Novice Over Fences Section 1 2nd-Lisa Boykin Section 2 5th-Lisa Wilson

Advanced Walk/Trot/Canter Section 2 2nd-Kyra Hufford Section 3 3rd-Lindsey Weathers

Walk/Trot 2nd-Michelle Jenkins

Western

Reining 6th-Courtney Borton

Open Western Horsemanship 1st- Courtney Borton

Advanced II Western 2nd-Kerrie Reeves