Gamecocks Fall to Georgia in SEC Opener

Bishop, Ga. – Madison Sellman earned Most Outstanding Player on the flat, but The South Carolina equestrian team couldn’t keep up with the No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday as the No. 6 Gamecocks fell in their SEC opener, 14-5, at the UGA Equestrian Complex.  
 
“Not the result we wanted, but we saw improvements here and there,” head coach Boo Major said after the meet. “When your first road meet is at Georgia it’s pretty tough. You hate to call something a learning experience, but overall this really was a bit of a learning experience for all of us. We always have a great time here, Georgia is a great host. Certainly would’ve been better to get out of here with a with a win, but now we’ve got to get home and work hard ahead of our Auburn meet.”
 
The day got started with the fences competition where despite Caroline Bald scoring an 84 on Constantine and Alice Kass notching an 83 on Snookie, the lone Carolina point came from Sellman securing an 85 on Vichy.
 
In horsemanship the Garnet and Black found themselves with their hands full with Gabby Brassard scoring the only point after her 75.5 ride on Pistol. At the halfway point of the day Carolina trailed 8-2.
 
Carolina put up a fight on the flat with Sellman getting her second point of the day, and clinching an M.O.P. win, with a 79-point ride on Sally and Louisa Brackett getting on the board with a 78 on Swank, but the Bulldogs left the flat with an 11-4 lead.
 
The meet wrapped up with the reining competition where McKenzie Duncan earned a win with a 68.5-point ride on Pixi. That point wouldn’t be enough, however, as Carolina fell the Georgia, 14-5.
 
The Gamecocks return to the ring on October 25 when No. 1 Auburn comes to Blythewood. The meet between Carolina and the Tigers is set for a 2 p.m. start at OneWood Farm.