Feb. 4, 2006

BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. – The South Carolina Equestrian team opened its spring home schedule with a split Saturday at OneWood Farm. The Western team defeated the South Dakota State Jackrabbits 520-462.5, while the Hunt Seat team fell to the Miami-Ohio Redhawks 620-610.5.

“Miami had a good team out there. They rode very well,” said Head Coach Boo Duncan. “We did not ride as well as we can. I was very disappointed in how our hunt seat team rode on the flats, but I was pleased with the turnaround over the fences. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to grab the lead. I am very happy with how our western team competed. South Dakota State was very competitive, but we did a better job in reining and I am happy with the outcome.”

In the Western competition, the Gamecock took on the Jackrabbits and tied in horsemanship, 275-275, and claimed the victory in reining 245-187.5. Katie Grossnickle and Michelle Grah recorded the two wins in horsemanship as Grossnickle defeated Kelsey Likness 69-63. Grah edged out Abby Knobbe 63-62. South Dakota State’s Molly Seidel beat Courtney Borton 81-76, while Jordanne Blair took a close one from Allison Bradley 68-67. In the final ride of the event, the Jackrabbits’ Brianna Grohs defeated Stacy Cell 63-56.

In reining, SDS has two riders go off course, which gave the Gamecocks two automatic wins. Katy Biffle won 64-0 over Knobbe, while Laura Pipkin was 47-0 over Blair. Ashleigh Collins tied in her ride, 59-59 against Likness, and Jamie Diamond lost to Grohs 64.5-59.5. Rebecca Roof also lost as Anna Taylor won 64-62.5.

The Gamecocks struggled early on in the hunt seat competition. In equitation on the flats, USC lost 308.5-281.5. Senior Tara Brothers was the lone victor for the Gamecocks in the competition. Brothers defeated Laurie Meuliner 84.5-83.5 in a very close ride. The Redhawks’ Megan Palmer defeated Claire Sharp 73-65, while Lindsay Barton defeated USC’s Sarah Stephens 76-64.5. Sarah Lowe lost to Jennifer Hutson 76-67.5 and the Gamecocks lowest score of the event came when Kelley Campbell lost to Brooke Ludden 64.5-62.5.

South Carolina changed the lineup some in over the fences and had a much better showing. The Gamecocks won over the fences 329-311.5, with Lindsay Pace leading the way. Pace defeated Palmer by half a point, 85-84.5. Brothers was next in high scorer as she claimed victory over Meuliner 84-73, followed by Lisa Bourbonniere, who beat Amy Saunders 82-67. Ellen Hogate defeated Anna Minnis 78-74 and Kristen Terebesi fell to Hutson 80-70.

“I am very happy with our jumping today,” said Duncan. “We rode much better in that event. We were able to make up a lot of points in jumping, however it wasn’t enough. That is the way it goes sometimes”

The Gamecocks return to action next weekend when they host Auburn, Feb. 11 at 10 a.m. at OneWood Farm.