Sept. 26, 2013

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The third-ranked Gamecock equestrian team returns to action on Friday, when Carolina (1-0) hosts Fresno State at One Wood Farm in Blythewood. Friday’s meet is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. and admission is free. Fans are reminded that pets are not allowed at One Wood Farm.

“I think after a great start to the season last week, we definitely are a confident group and that’s important,” South Carolina head coach Boo Major said. “We rode very well last week and did a good job of eliminating the kinds of mistakes that cost you points, so the challenge for us is to see if we can go out there and do it again.”

MEET INFORMATION
• WHO: Fresno State vs. No. 3 South Carolina
• WHEN: Friday, September 27, 2013 • 2 p.m.
• WHERE: One Wood Farm • Blythewood, S.C.
• ADMISSION: Free
• LIVE SCORES: Click Here for Live Scores

SCOUTING THE GAMECOCKS
• The Gamecocks are 1-0 on the season
• Friday’s meet is the second of three home meets for the Gamecocks during the fall
• Friday’s meet is the second of eight fall meets for the Gamecocks
• South Carolina’s hunt seat team is 1-0
• South Carolina’s western team is 1-0

SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
• Friday’s meet is the season opener for Fresno State
• The Bulldogs travel to South Carolina on Friday, Auburn on Saturday, and Georgia on Sunday
• Fresno State does not host a single home meet during the fall. The Bulldos only host two meets all season, a doubleheader on Feb. 22 against Baylor and Southern Methodist
• Collins Day is in her first season as head coach at Fresno State

SERIES HISTORY
Below is a list of the previous meetings between the Gamecocks and Bulldogs.

• Sept. 23, 2011 – Won 16-3 (Blythewood, S.C.)
• Feb. 27, 2011 – Lost 5-7 (Fresno, Calif.)
• Nov. 7, 2009 – Won 14-5 (Blythewood, S.C.)
• Feb. 28, 2009 – Won 10-9 (Fresno, Calif.)
• April 19, 2009 – Won 6-2 (Waco, Texas – hunt seat bracket/NCEA Nationals)
• Oct. 28, 2006 – Won 10-10 [won on raw scores, 1312.5-1295.5) (Fresno, Calif.)
• Apr. 18-19 2007 – Won 7-1 (Waco, Texas – hunt seat brackel/NCEA Nationals)
• Jan. 22, 2005 – Won 1052.54-924.275 (Blythewood, S.C.)

SEASON OPENERS
• 2013-2014 : vs. Kansas State (9/20/13) – Won 15-5
• 2012-2013 : vs. Oklahoma State (9/29/12) – Won 13-7
• 2011-2012 : vs. Fresno State (9/23/11) – Won 16-3
• 2010-2011 : vs. SMU (9/24/10) – Won 8-4 (Hunt seat-only meet)
• 2009-2010 : vs. TCU (9/20/09) – Lost 9-10
• 2008-2009 : vs. Kansas State (9/19/08) – Won 13-4
• 2007-2008 : vs. TCU (9/22/07) – Won 11-8
• 2006-2007 : vs. Baylor (9/22/06) – Won 11-9
• 2005-2006 : vs. Kentucky (9/23/05) – Won 1,224.5-1,148.5
• 2004-2005 : at Georgia (9/25/2004) – Lost 1,166-1,097

HOME BODIES
• South Carolina’s last nine season openers have taken place at home. The last time the Gamecocks kicked off the season on the road was Sept. 25, 2004, in a loss at Georgia.

LAST TIME OUT
Last Friday, the Gamecocks opened the season with a 15-5 win over No. 5 Kansas State. The hunt seat team turned in a pair of 4-1 victories to defeat the Wildcats, 8-4, while the western team cruised to a 7-3 win.

In reining, the Gamecocks defeated the Wildcats 4-1. Scoring points for the Gamecocks were Jordan Brown, Layla Choate, Sarah Bouchard, and Johnna Letchworth.

In horsemanship, Carolina dropped the first two points, but stormed back to sweep the final three. Seniors Alison Ceresani, Katie Kopf and Johnna Letchworth all won points for the Gamecocks.

In equitation over fences, Carolina had a duo of juniors and a duo of sophomores turn in winning rides. Juniors Katherine Schmidt and Alexa Anthony both won their points, along with sophomores Samantha Smith and Samantha Kraus.

In equitation on the flat, Schmidt, Anthony, Smith, and Kraus all won their points, as the foursome combined to go 8-for-8 on the day.

MVP SWEEP
The Gamecocks swept all four MVP’s in Friday’s win over K-State.

• Alexa Anthony (equitation on the flat) – first career MVP
• Layla Choate (reining) – fifth career MVP
• Katherine Schmidt (equitation over fences) – 10th career MVP
• Johnna Letchworth (horsemanship) – 15th career MVP

DIRECTIONS TO ONE WOOD FARM
• I-77 North
• Exit 27 – Blythewood Road
• Turn left onto Blythewood Road, crossing over I-77
• Drive 0.9 miles, turning right onto Syrup Mill Road
• Drive 0.7 miles, and One Wood Farm will be on your left. The facility is marked
with a large sign that is visible from the road