Jan. 27, 2007

Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina Gamecock Equestrian team opened their spring season with a victory, defeating the Stephen F. Austin Lady Jacks 14-5 on Saturday at OneWood Farm in Blythewood, improving their record to 4-1. The Hunt Seat team is 5-0 while the Western team is 1-4. In addition to the win, the Gamecocks earned three MVP honors with Megan Massaro (equitation over fences), Lindsay Williams (reining), and Carly Babcock (equitation on the flat).

“I think we had a great day today,” said head coach Boo Duncan. “I’m extremely proud of our team. We had a lot of young riders that came through and I’m very excited that they did such a good job. We’re also glad that we finally got the win for the Western team and now we’re looking forward to next weekend against Oklahoma State.”

The Gamecocks won the Hunt Seat portion of the competition, sweeping the Lady Jacks 9-0. In equitation over fences, USC outscored their opponents 331-291. Competing for the Gamecocks were Ashley Rohde and Kristen Terebesi, Sarah Stephens, Massaro and Katie Stenberg. Led by seniors Lisa Bourbonniere and Kelley Campbell, the Gamecocks outscored Stephen F. Austin 334-287 in equitation on the flat. Also riding for the Gamecocks were Courtney Reese, Alex Haskell and Babcock.

The Western teams tied with a score of 5-5, but the Gamecocks came away with their first win of the year with a raw score of 642.5-641. Williams’ high score of 72.5 helped propel the Gamecocks to the victory. Riding for the Gamecocks in the reining competition were Emily Bookwalter, Rachel Sternoff, Rebekah Roof, and Katy Biffle. In horsemanship Katie Grossnickle had a high score of 74 to beat Monika Brindley. Also competing were Stacy Cell, Amy Biffle, Katy Biffle, and Rachel Stas.

The next competition will be Saturday, Feb. 3 at 9:30 AM ET when the Gamecocks host defending National Western Champions, Oklahoma State at OneWood Farm in Blythewood.