Aug. 11, 2015

COLUMBIA, S.C. – University of South Carolina equestrian coach Boo Major on Tuesday announced the signing of hunt seat rider Kirklen Petersen (Great Falls, Va./Langley High School) to a National Letter of Intent to join the Gamecocks for the 2015-16 season. Petersen will be eligible to compete in both equitation on the flat and equitation over fences.

“We’re excited to welcome Kirklen to our program,” Major said. “She’s competed in a lot in the junior hunters and pony hunters and I think her show experience will give her a big leg-up at the college level. Coach Dobbs was very impressed with Kirklen’s abilities and was really excited when she came to visit us a while back. and we’re really looking forward to having her join us.”

Petersen trains with Kelley Farmer and Larry Glefke.

Petersen joins the defending national champions with an impressive riding resume. She competed at the Pony Finals for the last three years. Earlier this year, she was the Grand Junior Hunter Champion and Capital Challenge, and last year was the Large Pony Champion at the Washington International Horse Show. In addition, Petersen has also won multiple championships at the Winter Equestrian Festival and Kentucky Horse Show.

Her parents are David Petersen and Sherry King.

Petersen chose South Carolina over Virginia Commonwealth University and George Mason University.

At Langley High School in McLean, Va., Petersen maintained a 3.85 GPA. She was also a member of the National Honor Society, Math Honor Society, and Japanese Honor Society.