Sept. 29, 2006

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The University of South Carolina equestrian team will face off against the defending national champion Auburn Tigers Saturday morning. The event is set for 10 a.m. at OneWood Farm in Blythewood, S.C.

Expected to be an intense competition, this is the final home event of the fall season. The Tigers are the reigning overall national champion, while the Gamecocks are the Co-Reserve champions.

“We are always excited when Auburn comes to compete against us,” said assistant coach Ruth Sorrel. “It will be a tough competition. They are good and out to defend their title. We are prepared and hopefully we can continue success from last weekend.”

The Gamecocks are coming off of a close 11-9 victory over the Baylor Bears last Friday. Baylor won the western section and USC took the hunt seat and overall categories. USC is 1-0 as a team, 0-1 in western and 1-0 in English.

This will be Auburn’s first meet of the season and the first time the two hunt seat teams have met since the Varsity Equestrian National Championships last year. The Gamecocks defeated the Tigers 906-853 for the title.