Gamecocks Set For Lone Star Showdown
Sept. 28, 2017
Equestrian vs. No. 1 Texas A&M
COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina equestrian hits the road this weekend as the Gamecocks take on No. 1 Texas A&M at Hildebrand Equine Complex in College Station, Texas, on Friday.
The action is set to begin at noon ET with live stats found on gamecocksonline and updates proved on Twitter (@GamecockEQ). Carolina will be looking for a little revenge as the Aggies took all three meetings last season between the two teams.
SCOUTING THE GAMECOCKS
– Carolina returns 25 student-athletes from last season’s team, while the squad welcomes 11 freshmen to the family.
– SEC Reining Rider of the Year Caroline Gute returns to help lead the Gamecocks after a 10-3-2 year in 2016-17.
– Senior All-American Chloe Schmidt returns on the hunt seat side, looking to build off her 11-5 season on Equitation on the Flat.
– On the western side, All-American Bridgett White returns coming off a 3-1 year in reining.
– Madison Sellman is Carolina’s top returner on the equitation over fences squad, where she Was an All-SEC selection in 2016 after going 10-4.
– Senior Bailey Walters led the Gamecocks with four MOP wins last season and posted a 7-7-2 reining record
– Jordan Scott was an SEC All-Freshman honoree after winning five points in reining as a rookie last year.
SCOUTING THE AGGIES
The aggies come into the contest as the No. 1 team in the country, according to the latest NCEA Poll. Texas A&M won all three contests in the series a year ago on its way to winning the NCEA National Championship.
GAMECOCK PROGRAM HISTORY
– The 2017-18 season marks the 22nd year of the Gamecock equestrian program, as well as head coach Boo Major’s 21st season at the helm.
– The Gamecocks have won three national championships (2005, 2007, 2015).
– South Carolina has two runner-up finishes (2006, 2014).
– The Gamecocks have won two SEC Conference championships (2013, 2014).
– Carolina won the 2012 Southern Equestrian Championship, the precursor to the SEC Championship, which was added for the 2012-13 season
MEET THE COACHES
– The 2017-18 campaign will be the 21st season for head coach Boo Major, as Major celebrated the milestone mark of 20 years last year.
– In those 20 years at the helm, Major has piled up three NCEA National Championships, two SEC Championships and two National Coach of the Year awards (2014, 2015).
– Associate head coach Ruth Sorrel is in her 13th year with the Gamecocks as the leader of Carolina’s western team.
– South Carolina welcomes home Kristen Terebesi this season, as the former Gamecock equestrian standout returns to lead the hunt seat squad.
UP NEXT
Carolina will have a little time off before hitting the road again to take on South Dakota State in Brookings, S.D. on Oct. 13 with action set to begin at 11:00 a.m. ET. Continue to check with gamecocksonline for more information on the Gamecocks.
