April 9, 2006

ATHENS, Ga. – South Carolina equestrian fell short of the Southern Equestrian Championship title as the Gamecocks lost to the Georgia Bulldogs 1351-1322.5 in the championship round. In a close competition, USC lost by 28.5 points for the second-place finish. Carolina logged a victory in equitation over fences as they defeated the Bulldogs 323-313. Rachel Sternoff was the Gamecocks’ high point spread winner in Western, and Kelley Campbell was the high point scorer for the English team.

“We rode well in some areas today, but I think we rode better yesterday,” said head coach Boo Duncan. “UGA is a very good team and we just didn’t ride well enough to win today.”

Kristen Terebesi, Lindsay Pace and Campbell all recorded wins to lead South Carolina to the over fences win. Campbell was the highest scorer in the event. Georgia cruised by the Gamecocks in equitation on the flat as USC’s one victory was by Campbell. Georgia was able to outscore the Gamecocks 325-307, which gave the Bulldogs the final score of 638-630, an eight-point claim in equitation.

UGA swept the Western categories as the Bulldogs posted a 369-362.5 score in horsemanship and a 344-330 in reining. Overall, UGA defeated USC 713-692 in western. Rachel Sternoff was USC most solid rider for the day. Sternoff was the high-point scorer with 93 in horsemanship.

“We had some chanced to win but it just didn’t happen,” said assistant coach Ruth Sorrell. “Freshman Rebekah Roof did a nice job, especially with her 84 in reining, the highest in the category for the competiton.”

South Carolina advanced to the championship round by defeating Auburn in round one of the event on Saturday. The Gamecocks may meet the Bulldogs again as they wrap up the season as the nation’s top two seeds at the Varsity Equestrian National Championships April 20-22 in Albuquerque, N.M.

Georgia is seeded first in the VENC English bracket and third in the Western bracket while South Carolina is just behind with the No. 2 seed in the English bracket and a No. 6 seed in the Western bracket.

Results:
Georgia (1351) def. South Carolina (1322.5)

English
Georgia (638) def. South Carolina (630)

Equitation over fences
Georgia (313) def. by South Carolina (323)
Logan Fiorentino (81) def. Ellen Hogate (79)
Byerly Vaughn (77) def. by Kristen Terebesi (82)
Rachel Berkowitz (75–dropped) def. by Kelley Campbell (83)
Leigh Harper (78) def. by LIndsey Pace (79)
Megan Richardson (77) def. Tara Brothers (63)

Equitation
Georgia (325) def. South Carolina (307)
Rachel Berkowitz (78) def. Sarah Lowe (75)
Michelle Blair (80) def. Kristen Terebesi (79)
Megan Richardson (70–dropped) def. by Kelley Campbell (71)
Logan Fiorentino (83) def. Carly Johns (68–dropped)
Kelly Bonau (84) def. Tara Brothers (82)

Western
Georgia (713) def. South Carolina (692.5)

Horsemanship
Georgia (369) def. South Carolina (362.5)
Ashley Slocumb (93.5) def. Katie Grossnickle (89.5)
Kari Ellingson (88.5–dropped) def. by Rachel Sternoff (93)
Carly Veldman (90.5) def. by Katy Biffle (91.5)
Sarah Meier (90) def. Allison Bradley (88.5)
Dana Kennedy (95) def. Courtney Borton (86–dropped)

Reining
Georgia (344) def. South Carolina (330)
Tricia Fowler (82–dropped) def. by Rebekah Roof (84)
Sarah Meier (89.5) def. Katy Biffle (83.5)
Kate Stewart (86.5) def. Laura Pipkin (79)
Megan Darby (84) def. Lindsay Williams (78–dropped)
Carly Veldman (84) def. Rachel Sternoff (83.5)