March 26, 2004

Columbia,S.C. – The University Of South Carolina equestrian team will compete against Auburn and Georgia in the Southern Equestrian Championships this weekend,March 28-29,in Auburn, Ala. This will be the third time the Gamecocks have traveled to Auburn after winning there earlier in the year.

The format for this weekend’s competition will be different from previous meetings between the two schools. The competition will feature the head -to – head format, however, there will be four riders in each class as opposed to five. The lowest score in each class will be dropped.

The Gamecocks will also compete against Georgia this weekend in the varsity format. The Bulldogs are defending Varisty Champions and narrowly defeated the Gamecocks by three points earlier this season.

The Gamecocks will be led by Tara Brothers and features a mix of younger riders as well. The Bend, Ore,native has already qualified for next week’s IHSA Finals after her performance at the Region 2 Zone 5 competitiion in Erskine, S.C. on March 20-21.

Freshman Sarah Lowe and Dana Hancock will be competing this weekend as well. Freshman Kelley Campbell and Sophomore Laura Pipkin will also be in action this weekend.

The competition is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. in Auburn. The Gamecocks next scheduled competition will be at Berry College on April 3-4 for the IHSA Finals.