April 21, 2010
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina freshman Kimberly McCormack was named Hunter Seat MVP at the 2010 Varsity Equestrian National Championships, hosted by Baylor University at the Heart O’ Texas Fair Coliseum in Waco, Texas.
Of the twelve teams in the Hunter Seat bracket, McCormack, a freshman from Clermont, N.J., was awarded the top individual honor by judges Scott Evans and Chrystine Tauber.
“We’re really excited for Kimberly, and I’m especially proud of her for earning this award,” head coach Boo Major said. “Kimberly was solid for us in Waco over the weekend, and she’s really been solid for us all season.”
McCormack was perfect on the weekend for the Gamecocks, winning all four of her rides.
Starting with South Carolina’s quarterfinal competition against Oklahoma State on Friday, McCormack defeated Cowgirl Ally Blais 174-167 in Equitation Over Fences. She picked up another victory later on Friday in South Carolina’s semifinal loss to Auburn, as she defeated the Tigers’ Dottie Grub 173-131 in Equitation Over Fences.
“Having competed the way she did against the best riders in the country this weekend, I think Kimberly certainly elevated herself as an elite rider,” Major said. “She beat some great riders over the weekend, and she surprised a lot of teams that haven’t seen her this season. But what she did over the weekend is no different than what she did for us during the regular season.”
She completed her undefeated streak on Saturday in the 3rd Place competition against Texas A&M, adding two more victories for the Gamecocks. McCormack scored a 179-169 victory over the Aggies’ Kori Pickett in Equitation Over Fences, and then defeated Elizabeth Solch 171-155 in Equitation on the Flat.
McCormack led the Gamecocks with eleven regular season victories, five in Equitation Over Fences and six in Equitation on the flat. With her four wins in Waco, McCormack finishes the season with 15 wins.
The Gamecocks finished in 3rd place at this year’s Varsity Equestrian National Championships. The Hunter Seat team, seeded third in its bracket, finished in third place as well.
