April 7, 2006

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina equestrian team will travel to Athens, Ga. this weekend for the Southern Equestrian Championships, April 8-9. The Gamecocks enter as the No. 2 seed and will face No. 3 seed Auburn at noon in the first round. The winner will advance to compete against Georgia, the No. 1 seed on Sunday.

“I believe we are well prepared for this competition,” said head coach Boo Duncan. “We are excited that we will get to take some of our own horses to ride. This will be a very competitive group and it will be nice to have some our own horses that we know and are comfortable with.”

Competing for the Gamecocks’ hunt team are Kelley Campbell, Tara Brothers, Kristen Terebesi, Sarah Lowe, Carly Johns, Lindsey Pace, Ellen Hogate and alternates Sarah Stephens and Lisa Bourbonniere. The western team will consist of Allison Bradley, Katie Grossnickle, Katy Biffle, Rachel Sternoff, Courtney Borton, Laura Pipkin, Rebekah Roof, Lindsay Williams and alternates, Michelle Grah and Jamie Diamond. Also traveling to the championships are Courtney Reese, Ashley Rhode and Stacy Cell.

South Carolina enters the competition with a 6-3 overall record. USC went 2-0 against Auburn and 0-2 against Georgia during the regular season.