Feb. 2, 2007

Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina equestrian will host defending National Western Champions Oklahoma State at 9:30 AM ET at OneWood Farm in Blythewood. The team looks to improve on its 4-1 record.

The Gamecocks defeated Stephen F. Austin last weekend in its spring opener. The Western team captured their first win of the year to go 1-4, while the Hunt Seat team improved to 5-0.

“We are looking forward to hosting the 2006 western national champions OSU Cowgirls,” said head coach Boo Duncan. “The weather has put us behind in practice a bit but our girls are always up for a challenge. We’ll have our hands full this weekend in both Western and Hunt Seat. We have some confidence coming off the win against SFA last weekend and we hope that momentum will carry over through this weekend.”

Set to compete for the Gamecocks in horsemanship are senior Rachel Sternoff (Redman, W.A), juniors Allison Bradley (Lancaster, C.A.) and Katy Biffle (Orange Grove, T.X.), sophomore Katie Grossnickle (Winona Lake, I.N.) and freshman Kristina Papendick (Rapid City, S.D.). In reining, the Gamecock riders will be senior Rachel Sternoff, juniors Lindsay Williams (Sands Springs, O.K.) and Bradley (Lancaster, C.A.), sophomore Rebekah Roof (Lexington, S.C.), and freshman Emily Bookwalter (Fillmore, I.N.).

In equitation over fences, the Gamecock riders will be seniors Ellen Hogate (St. Charles, I.L.) and Kelley Campbell (Keysville, V.A.), junior Kristen Terebesi (Glenmoore, P.A.), sophomore LIndsey Pace (Camden, S.C.), and freshman Nicole Bourgeois (Sherwood, O.R.). Competing in equitation on the flat will be seniors Sarah Lowe (Augusta, G.A.), Carly Babcock (Deer Harbor, W.A.), and Jessica Boll (Ada, M.I.), Terebesi (Glenmoore, P.A.), and freshman Carly Babcock.