Sept. 20, 2002
Columbia, SC – The 2002-03 season brings to it a veteran hunt seat team and a young western team. Co-captains, senior Lisa Wilson and junior Sarah Ki-Tomasi bring their previous experience at Nationals to the hunt seat team. Veteran seniors will be in the open division. Sarah Tomasi will return as a power house in open fences. Intermediate fences will have freshman newcomer Chelsea Koornick, sophomore Molly Harrison, and veteran senior Brooke Spitzer leading the way. Novice fences will have junior Lisa Boykin, senior Lisa Wilson, junior Lindsey Wilson and senior Alexis Pospischil vying for jumping positions. Harrison, Pospischil and Lindsey Wilson will lead Intermediate Flat. Lisa Wilson and junior Lauren Brown will anchor Novice Flat. Sophomore Lindsey Weathers, Ashley Williams, and Kendra Burdett will start in Walk/Trot/Canter and Michelle Jenkins will be the Gamecocks Walk/Trot rider.
“I am very happy with our riders over fences. I am looking for more consistence in our rail performances at all levels in hunt seat this year,” Coach Duncan says. “Strategy and total team participation will determine our success this year because the talent is there.”
A strong freshman class along with core veterans will determine the success of the western team. Freshman Courtney Borton and sophomore Kerrie Reeves will represent the Lady Gamecocks in Open Horsemanship and Reining. Freshman April Payne and Laura Pipken as well as veteran senior Jessica Keels and sophomore Cindy Davis will be competing for the top position in Advanced horsemanship and sophomore Lindsey Weathers and Freshman Ashleigh Collins will lead Intermediate Horsemanship. Senior Michelle Jenkins will be the Lady Gamecocks walk/jog rider. “Our western team has the potential to be quite strong,” Coach Duncan said. “Once the freshmen adjust to the system we should be quite competitive.”
Zone 5 Region 2 has become more competitive this season with Auburn and Georgia going varsity and Berry College always has a strong team.
“Our work will be cut out for us but with hard work, consistent performances and a little bit of luck we will have a successful year.”
The USC Equestrian team opens up the season on Saturday, September 28, with the USC Intercolligiate Equestrian Competition. Hosted by USC at the Irish Oaks Equestrian Centre in the Ascot Subdivision of Irmo, the show will include both Hunt Seat and Western competition. The competition will run from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission is free and concessions will be available.
