Jan. 24, 2007

Columbia, S.C. –

<?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>South Carolina equestrian will face Stephen F. Austin in their spring opener Saturday, Jan. 27 at 10:00 AM ET at OneWood Farm in Blythewood. The Gamecocks, who are 3-1 on the year, have not competed since Oct. 28 when they defeated Fresno State to close out the fall season. <?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

“We are looking forward to hosting Stephen F. Austin on Saturday,” said head coach Boo Duncan. “They are a young, up and coming team that will be a good test for us early in out spring season. I think they will challenge us in both hunt seat and western, and we hope to be prepared.”

The Lady Jacks are 4-1 on the year, with their only loss coming to Georgia. The two teams met last year when the Gamecocks traveled to Texas and defeated the Lady Jacks 1,086-1,063.

Riding for the Gamecocks in equitation over fences will be seniors Kelley Campbell (Keysville, V.A.) and Lisa Bourbonniere (Toronto, Ontario), sophomore Courtney Reese (Tryon, N.C.), and freshmen Alex Haskell (Cincinnati, O.H.) and Carly Babcock (Deer Harbor, W.A.). In equitation on the flat juniors Kristen Terebesi (Glenmoore, P.A.) and Ashley Rohde (Alpharetta, G.A.), sophomore Sarah Stephens (Chalfont, P.A.), and freshmen Katie Stenberg (Rehoboth, M.A.) and Megan Massaro (Summerfield, F.L.) will be competing for USC.

In horsemanship, the Gamecock riders will include junior Katy Biffle (Orange Grove, T.X.), sophomores Stacy Cell (Painesville, O.H.) and Katie Grossnickle (Winona Lake, I.N.), and freshmen Rachel Stas (Burlington, S.C.) and Amy Biffle (Orange Grove, T.X.). Competing in the reining portion will be senior Rachel Sternoff (Redmond, W.A.), juniors Lindsay Williams (Sands Springs, O.K.) and Katy Biffle (Orange Grove, T.X.), sophomore Rebekah Roof (Lexington, S.C.), and freshman Emily Bookwalter (Fillmore, I.N.).