Gamecocks Pick Up Two MOPs Against Georgia

COLUMBIA, SC – The No. 8 ranked South Carolina Equestrian team took on No. 7 Georgia at home on Friday, putting up a close fight but ultimately falling 10-7. Sophomore Julia Lee (Horsemanship) and junior Natalie Jayne (Flat) picked up Most Outstanding Performer (MOP) nods for the Gamecocks.

The meet opened up in Horsemanship, where the pair of team tied 2-2 overall in the event. The Bulldogs took the first two available points, then tied the third ride between Gamecock Alyssa Jipping and Shaelyn Boutele with a 75 each. South Carolina then turned the tide, with Carly Jenkins scoring a 74 on Z to defeat Jillian Stopperich’s 72, and Julia Lee rounded out the event with a career-high 76.5 on Houdini to earn her point over Abbey Zawisza’s 74. Lee’s MOP was the second for her this season.

Over in Fences, the Bulldogs grabbed four consecutive points, until freshman Amira Kettaneh defeated Tessa Downey 82-81 on Nano to keep Georgia from the sweep.

The Bulldogs led 6-3 at the break.

Things got going in the second half with Reining, with junior Mattie McNeill starting things off with a point for the Gamecocks after taking down Shelby Lynch 70.5-69.5 on Kinzie. Senior Chloe VanStone then tied her point with Jax Bound 72-72. Georgia took the remaining three points to finish 3-1 in the event.

The day rounded out on the Flat, with senior Sophie Mitchell grabbing a point early on for the Gamecocks, defeating Sophia Pilla 76-68 on Major. Georgia answered back on the following point, and the third ride finished with a draw between Gamecock Sarah Rabb and Cataline Peralta 74-74. South Carolina finished on a high note, with Mary Hunter Millet earning her point with an 80-76 win on Dento, and Natalie Jayne rounding out the event with an 81-78 victory on Tanner. Jayne’s MOP was the first of the season.

UP NEXT

The Gamecocks will host Sweet Briar at One Wood Farm for a Jumping Seat only meet on Friday, Nov. 15 at 10:00 a.m. for the final meet of the fall.