July 17, 2006

COLUMBIA, S.C. –
South Carolina equestrian announced another commitment for the 2006-07 season as western rider Rachel Stas, from Burlington, N.C. signed with the Gamecocks. Stas is the current leader in the North Carolina Quarter Horse Association Novice Youth in horsemanship and she is second in equitation.

“Rachel has an excellent background in horsemanship and has developed her reining skills this past year so we think she will be a double threat on the western side,” said Duncan.

Stas has competed in several American Quarter Horse Association events and has nabbed a multitude of awards in horsemanship, showmanship, equitation and all-around championship. In 2004-05, the Southern Almanac H.S. graduate finished first in Novice Youth Horsemanship and Equitation, third in Novice Youth Showmanship and fifth in Novice Youth Hunter Under Saddle.