Feb. 21, 2004

Columbia, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Equestrian team defeated the Auburn Tigers at home at on Saturday at the Irish Oaks Equestrian Centre. This was the Gamecocks’ second victory over the Tigers this season in a varsity style competition. The final score was 1,122.40 to 1,074.76 in favor of the Garnet and Black.

In Equitation, the Gamecocks collected 285 points to Auburn’s 273. Junior, Tara Brothers and Freshman Carly Johns both led the Gamecocks with a score of 73 points.

In Western Horsemanship, Courtney Borton received Carolina’s top score with 70 points. Teammates Laura Pipkin, and Rachel Sternoff also contributed with scores of 67 and 68. Despite the Gamecocks’ performance, the Tigers won the class with a score of 274 to 271.

In Equation Over Fences, the USC team accumulated 305 points and Auburn received 288 points. Brothers won the High Point award for her performance over fences. The Bend, Oregon junior scored 78 points. Freshman, Dana Hancock also contributed with 76 points.

In Western Reining, Auburn fell to USC by a final score 239.76 to 261.40. Julia Johnson received a score of 73.81 points. The Georgetown, South Carolina, native received the High Score award for Reining.

“I think that we rode well today on both sides of the competition, “said Head Coach Boo Duncan. “Today we had a real good overall effort. I was real proud. Finally, we have got it all together.”

The Gamecocks will travel to Rome, Georgia for their next Intercollegiate Horse Show Association competition to be hosted by Berry College on February 28-29.

USC is preparing to meet Berry for the second time this month in an IHSA competition. The Gamecocks finished second behind Berry College at Augusta State, which was their last IHSA competition on February 14-15. The time for the competition has not been announced.