Oct. 3, 2013

COLUMBIA, S.C. – No. 3 South Carolina faces its first road test of the season this weekend, as the Gamecocks travel to Dover, Del., to face Delaware State and Southern Methodist at the Gambler’s Choice Equestrian Center. The Gamecocks will face the Hornets on Friday at 2 p.m., and Carolina wraps up the road trip on Saturday with a 10 a.m. showdown against the Mustangs.

“I think after two good meets under our belt, we’re ready to hit the road,” South Carolina head coach Boo Major said. “Delaware State and SMU are both very competitive teams, so we’ll certainly get tested this weekend. SMU beat us last year at their place, and when we hosted Delaware State in March, they had some excellent rides in that meet. It should be a competitive weekend and I’m looking forward to it.”

SERIES HISTORY – DELAWARE STATE
Mar. 1, 2013 – Won 15-4 (Blythewood, S.C.)
Mar. 16, 2012 – Won 12-3 (Dover, Del.)
Apr. 14, 2011 – Won 6-1 (Waco, Texas – NCEA Nationals/hunt seat bracket)
Apr. 14, 2011 – Won 7-1 (Waco, Texas – NCEA Nationals/western bracket)
Jan. 29, 2011 – Lost 6-10 (Waco, Texas – neutral site meet hosted at Baylor)
Mar, 20, 2010 – Won 11-8 (Dover, Del.)
Mar. 28, 2009 – Won 17-2 (Blythewod, S.C.)
Mar. 1, 2008 – Won 12-6 (Dover, Del.)

SERIES HISTORY – SOUTHERN METHODIST
Nov. 18, 2012 – Lost 4-5 (Wilmer, Texas)
Oct. 28, 2011 – Won 6-5 (Dallas, Texas)
Sept. 24, 2010 – Won 8-4 (Blythewood, S.C.)
Feb. 13, 2010 – Cancelled (Dallas, Texas – weather)

SCOUTING DELAWARE STATE
– The Hornets are 0-1 this season, after losing their season opener to Kansas State, 13-3.
– Delaware State defeated the University of Delaware, 14-0, in a preseason exhibition meet.
– The Hornets also dropped a 12-7 exhibition meet to Miami of Ohio this season.

SCOUTING SOUTHERN METHODIST
– The Mustangs are 2-0 this season after beating New Mexico State and Tennessee-Martin
– SMU defeated Baylor on raw scores in a preseason exhibition
– This marks the first season of SMU’s western team. Prior to this year, the Mustangs only had a hunt seat team.

NEARING THE TOP
Senior Johnna Letchworth is one MVP away from tying the team record for most career MVP’s. Letchworth earned her 16th career MVP on Sept. 27 against Fresno State, her second of the season. She needs one more to tie Kimberly McCormack (2009-2013) for the most all-time (17).

MISS MVP
Junior Katherine Schmidt has three MVP’s in just four rides this season. Schmidt won her second and third MVP’s of the season last week against Fresno State, giving her three for the season and 12 in her career. She is one of three hunt seat riders with a 4-0 record (Samantha Kraus, Samantha Smith).

SENIOR MOMENT
A trio of seniors on the horsemanship are a combined 6-0 this season. Seniors Alison Ceresani, Katie Kopf and Johnna Letchworth are all 2-0 through two meets. Letchworth has taken home horsemanship MVP honors in both meets this year.

FAR FROM FLAT
South Carolina’s equitation on the flat team has looked strong in its first two tests this season. The team has a pair of 4-1 victories over Kansas State and Fresno State. Junior Katherine Schmidt and sophomores Samantha Kraus and Samantha Schmidt are each 2-0 on the flat this year. Senior Kelsey Hart and junior Alexa Anthony are both 1-1. Anthony earned MVP honors in the season opener vs. Kansas State on Sept. 20, while Schmidt won the MVP last week against Fresno State.

WHAT CAN BROWN DO FOR YOU?
Senior Jordan Brown is one of three members of the reining squad that has a perfect 2-0 record this season. Junior Layla Choate is also 2-0 with one MVP, and sophomore Sarah Bouchard remains perfect through her first two rides of the season.

NCEA RANKINGS
The latest NCEA team rankings we released on Thursday. The Gamecocks remain No. 3.

1. Georgia
2. Auburn
3. South Carolina
4. Kansas State
5. Oklahoma State
6. Texas A&M
7. Baylor
8. TCU
9. SMU
10. New Mexico State

UP NEXT
The Gamecocks continue fall action next weekend, when South Carolina hosts No. 1 Georgia on Fri., Oct. 11 at 2 p.m. in Blythewood.