Sept. 21, 2012
September 21, 2012
BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. – With one week to go before the equestrian team begins is 2012-2013 season, the Gamecocks held their preseason scrimmage at One Wood Farm in Blythewood on Friday afternoon. Despite dropping four of the final five points, the Garnet team prevailed, winning 10-9.
“We saw a lot of good things today, and we also identified some issues we still need to work on,” South Carolina head coach Boo Major said. “We still have a few lineup spots up for grabs for the opener against Oklahoma State, so we’re excited to get back to work on Monday and see how the week of practice goes.”
The Black squad scored the meet’s first point when senior Melissa Mull picked up a 5.5 point win over her opponent. But the Garnet team went on to win the next three points, as Johnna Letchworth, Audrey Jewell, and Haiden De Jane all won their rides. Letchworth’s half-point victory in Reining was the first point of her 2-for-2 day.
In Equitation Over Fences, the Garnet team won, 3-2. Morgan Hale, Alexa Anthony, and Samantha Smith all scored points for the Garnet team, while freshmen Madison Cameron and Sally Henry tallied points for the Black team. Henry would complete a 2-for-2 performance later in the meet in Equitation on the Flat.
In Horsemanship, the Garnet squad took three of five points again, as Letchworth scored an event-high 74 to finish off her perfect afternoon. Junior Katie Kopf added the Garnet team’s second point, as her 73.5 was the second-highest score of the event. Freshman Abigail Pait also scored for the Garnet squad, dropping her opponent, 72-68.5. Junior Allie Krabill and sophomore Sam Chiodo scored the Black team’s two points.
Holding a 9-5 lead heading into Equitation on the Flat, the Garnet team picked up the meet-clinching point when junior Kelsey Hart picked up a 80-74 victory. The Black team would go on to win the final four points, as Henry completed her perfect day with a 13-point victory over her opponent. Elizabeth deGolian, Katherine Schmidt, and Emma Johnson all scored points for the Black team.
The Gamecocks begin the SEC era of equestrian next Saturday when they host Oklahoma State at 1 p.m. in Blythewood.
