Sept. 24, 2010
| Coach Major |
| Highlights |
BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. – The South Carolina equestrian team defeated SMU 8-4 in the Gamecocks’ 2010-2011 season opener at One Wood Farm in Blythewood on Friday. The Gamecocks are now 1-0 while the Mustangs fall to 0-2.
“I’m extremely happy we were able to earn a win against a talented SMU team today,” head coach Boo Major said. “We had a ride here or there we’d probably like to have back, but overall, our girls rode well today and they deserved to win.”
The Gamecocks had an outstanding performance Friday by sophomore Kimberly McCormack, who earned wins in Equitation Over Fences and Equitation on the Flat. McCormack also picked up MVP honors for both events.
“Kimmy rode beautifully today,” Major said. “She executed both of her rides the way we knew she would, so it’s no surprise that she had a great day for us.”
Junior Carolyn Curcio also had a performance for the Gamecocks on Friday, winning both of her rides. Curcio defeated SMU’s Claire Wenholz 77-73 in Equitation and defeating the Mustangs’ Morgan Raleigh 80-78.
Sophomore Tilden Brighton also competed twice for the Gamecocks on Friday, going 1-1. Brighton scored an 82-0 victory over SMU’s Renick Townsend in Equitation.
In the Gamecocks’ 4-2 win in Equitation, South Carolina picked up wins from McCormack, Curcio, Brighton, and junior Colvin Hedgepeth. Hedgepeth picked up the Gamecocks’ first point of the season in her 80-79 defeat of the Mustangs’ Taylor McClung.
In South Carolina’s 4-2 win Equitation Over Fences, the Gamecocks picked up wins from McCormack, Curcio, junior Paige Dekko, and sophomore captain Alex Arute. Dekko won her ride 84-83, and Arute won her ride by a 10-point margin over SMU’s Emily Gardner.
The Gamecocks return to action tomorrow afternoon at 2, when South Carolina hosts South Dakota State. Saturday’s competition marks the season opening competition for the Gamecock Western team, which is coming off a third-place finish at last year’s Varsity Equestrian National Championships.
Live Scoring information: Fans not able to attend this weekend’s competitions but want to follow the action from Blythewood can do so by viewing our Live Scoring pages. Scores will be updated immediately once they are announced, and fans viewing the Live Scoring page will need to hit the refresh button to get the latest scores.
