July 12, 2007
Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina equestrian team has added four new members for the upcoming season. Joining the Gamecocks are Abbey Rohde, Alex Foster, Eleanor Kunsman and Kyla Thurlow.
Three will compete in the Hunt Seat division while the fourth will contribute in the Western division.
Rhode signs with USC from Alpharetta, Ga., and will compete in the Hunt Seat. She is the sister of current Gamecock Ashley Rohde. Abbey has qualified and competed in the USEF Medal Finals (2005,06), the RMI Tri-State Junior Hunter Finals (2005,06), the Junior Hunter Finals (2005,06) and in the Maclay Regional Finals (2006). In 2005, she earned second place in the Atlantic Coast League Junior Hunter final points standing with 107 points and finished fourth in the Zone 4 Large Junior Hunter Division (15 and under).
“We are excited to have another Rohde on our team,” Coach Boo Duncan said. “Abbey brings to us a lot of Junior hunter and equitation experience that should add depth to our team.”
Kunsman (Flemington, N.J.) is a sophomore signee that transfers to Carolina from Centenary College (New Jersey). Eleanor helped lead her team to a second place finish at the American National Riding Commission (ANRC) Intercollegiate Riding Championship as well as a fifth place showing at the IHSA National Horse Show. Kunsman accomplishments include winning the 2007 Individual Collegiate ANRC Champion. She also finished seventh at the 2006 USEF Medal Finals and posted a top 20 finish at the 2006 Maclay Finals.
“Eleanor comes to us with a year of intercollegiate experience under her belt,” Duncan said. ” With that, in combination of her incredible year, she should have an immediate impact for the team in equitation on the flat and over fences.”
Foster (Augusta, Ga.) joins the team with a wealth of accomplishments. In 2005, she was the South Carolina Hunter Jumper Association Reserve Champion in the Junior Hunter division as well as being named the SCHJA Sportsmanship Award winner. Foster also garnered four championships in 2006, earning the Progressive Show Jumping Jr. Medal and the PSJ 15-17 Equitation Year-End championship. In addition, she was named the Palmetto Medal Final Reserve Champion and the PSJ Junior Hunter Year-End Reserve Champion.
“Alex comes to us with a lot of local showing experience with both the Progressive Show Circuit and the South Carolina Hunter Jumper Circuit,” Duncan said. “Her equitation accomplishments speak for themselves. We are fortunate to have her as a Gamecocks!”
Thurlow (Pompano Beach, Fla.) is the lone Western signee. She comes to South Carolina after finishing first in the 2006 Dixie Reining Horse Association Rookie Points standing. She was named the DRHA Circuit Champion and the Florida Reining Horse Association Champion in 2006 after winning the Florida State Ladies Championship in 2004.
“We think we have a real hidden treasure with Kyla,” Duncan said. “She adds another dimension to our reining team and will be a real asset to our team!”
USC Equestrian Additions
Abbey Rohde – Alpharetta, Ga. – Signed
Eleanor Kunsman – Flemington, N.J. – Signed/Transfer from Centenary College (N.J.)
Kyla Thurlow – Pompano Beach, Fla. – Signed
Alex Foster – Augusta, Ga.
