Aug 15, 2013

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COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina head coach Boo Major announced the signing of Georgia native Makayla Clegg (Social Circle, Ga./Master’s Academy) to a national letter of intent to join the Gamecock equestrian team for the 2013-2014 season. Clegg will ride with Carolina’s western team and is expected to compete in reining.

“We’re really looking forward to having Makayla join us for the upcoming season,” Major said. “She’s a very talented rider and she has a lot of reining experience. Makayla is a versatile rider and can do a lot of different things, and we think her experience is going to be very beneficial when she gets to campus next week.”

Clegg trains with Herm Sherwin and Julie Marks, and comes to Carolina with an impressive riding resume. Among some of her youth career highlights:

2013
• NRHA Rookie I 1st place, March Dixie Reining Horse Assoc.
• NRHA Rookie 2 Second place, March Dixie Reining Horse Assoc.
• ApHC National Ranking in Reining, top-5
• Regional 4-H Freestyle Champions-Walton Mounted Dril – WMDl
• Regional Open Freestyle Reserve Champions
• State 4-H Freestyle Champions- Walton Mounted Drill

2012
• NRHA Youth, Rookie I
• Final Year-End Standings: 3rd in Rookie I
• North American Affiliate Qualifier: Youth 15-18
• GA 4-H State Horse Show Ranch Division Reserve Champion
• Southern Regional 4-H Horse Championships
• Regional 4-H Freestyle Champions-Walton Mounted Drill
• State Open Freestyle Champions- Walton Mounted Drill

2011
• NRCHA World Qualifier with two horses
• GRCHA Youth Limited Reserve Champion
• IEA National Finals Hunt seat 5th place w/ Morgan Co HS

Clegg is a graduate of Master’s Academy in Athens, Ga. While in high school, she maintained a 3.89 GPA. Clegg is president of the Walton County 4-H Horse Club and is co-captain of the Walton Young Riders Varsity Mounted Drill Team, which won the 2012 and 2013 state and regional 4-H freestyle championships. She has volunteer experience with the Georgia Special Olympics Horse Show and with Camp Twin Lakes, which hosts kids with special needs.

Her parents are Joel and Angela Clegg, and she has a 17-year old sister, Rebekah Clegg.

Clegg chose South Carolina over the University of Georgia and Berry College. She is expected to pursue a Bachelor of Science with a major in athletic training.