Carolina to Compete for National Title in Equitation on the Flat
WACO, Texas – The South Carolina Equitation on the Flat team advanced to the championship round of the event after collecting two wins on Friday at NCEA Championships at the Extraco Events Center.
On day three of competition, the Gamecocks advanced to three event semifinals, including flat, Reining and Horsemanship.
“We had some pretty difficult horses in our first two rounds (of Equitation on the Flat),” head coach Boo Major said. “I’d like to say that that probably prepared us a lot for this round. It made us more aware of where we were having issues and what our weaknesses were and because of that we were able to capitalize upon that for our performance (Friday). Everybody rode lights out.”
In the quarterfinals of Equitation on the Flat, South Carolina edged out Baylor in the raw score, 2-2, 911-877, for the win. Grady Lyman brought in the first point with her, 233-203, victory opposite of Shannon Hogue on Queen. Competing on Risky, Madison Sellman claimed the event with a, 229-216, win over Madison Day.
Seeing familiar SEC foe Texas A&M in the semifinals, the Gamecocks downed the Aggies, 3-1, to clinch a spot in the finals. Taking the first point for Carolina, Lizzie van der Walde topped Caroline Dance, 232-231, on Vinnie. Madison Brayman then earned a 15-point victory opposite of Adele McKenna, 242-227, atop Rosie. Finishing the victory for her team, Lyman rode to a huge, 246-239, win against Rebekah Chenelle on Wunderboy.
Starting off strong in Reining, the Gamecocks swept Baylor, 4-0, in the quarterfinals. Up first, Bridgett White notched the first point of the event, 199-196, over Sydney Scheckel on Buddy. Next, Jordan Scott topped Carly Salter on Angel, 209-206. Caroline Gute earned a point after her, 196.5-192.5, victory against Maggie Cincotta on Willy. Closing out the sweep, Madison Thiel claimed the highest score of the day in her, 210.5-206, defeat over Madaline Callaway on Dillon.
In the semifinals, Carolina and SMU tied, 2-2, with the Mustangs coming out on top in the raw score, 809-606.5. Scott won her second point of the day with a, 206-199.5, victory against Savannah Ostner on Ella. Getting the second point of the event, Bridgett White downed Aubrey Alderman on Craig, 204-196.
Competing opposite of SMU in the Horsemanship quarterfinals, the Gamecocks earned another raw score victory, 2-2, 866.5-862.5. Gute topped Mallory Vroegh on Snip, 218.5-216.5, taking Carolina’s first point of the event. As the last ride and the deciding point, Sloane Vogt’s performance was under video review. With suspense building, Vogt came out on top, 211.5-203, against Megan Waldron on Phoebe, getting her team the win in the raw score.
Riding against Georgia in the Horsemanship semifinals, the Gamecocks were not able to top the Bulldogs, dropping the event, 4-0.
In Equitation Over Fences quarterfinals, Carolina fell to Texas A&M, 3-0. Sellman and Grace Boston tied the first ride of the competition, 221-221, on Mabel.
Next, the Gamecocks take on Auburn in the Equitation on the Flat championship round at 5:10 p.m. ET on Saturday. Live scoring is available for the meet and can be found on gamecocksonline.com on the equestrian schedule page.
Continue to check back with gamecocksonline.com for more updates or follow the team on social media (@GamecockEQ).
