Jan. 26, 2006

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina equestrian team will begin their spring schedule Friday morning as the Western team travels to College Station, Texas for the Big 8 Western Tournament. The competition will be hosted by Texas A&M at N.W. “Dick” Freeman Arena.

Scheduled to compete at the tournament, by seed are: No. 1 Texas A&M, No. 2 Oklahoma State, No. 3 Fresno State, No. 4 Georgia, No. 6 Kansas State, No. 7 New Mexico State and No. 8 Baylor. The Gamecocks are seeded fifth. Seeding was determined according to the results of the western race at last season’s Varsity National Championships.

The Gamecocks will be matched up first with Georgia. Riding for USC is Allison Bradley in horsemanship, Laura Pipkin in reigning and Rachel Sternoff and Katy Biffle in horsemanship and reigning.