Jan. 22, 2014

COLUMBIA, S.C. – University of South Carolina head equestrian coach Boo Major has announced the signing of Shelby Friday (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Coffman) to a National Letter of Intent to join the Gamecocks for the 2014-2015 season. Friday will ride with the Gamecocks’ western team and will compete in horsemanship.

“Shelby is a very talented horsemanship rider and we’re excited to be adding her to our team for next season,” Major said. “Ohio is a tremendously rich state for western riders, and we’re fortunate to be able to have Shelby join us. She’s an all-around rider which shows her versatility, but we’re looking at her in horsemanship and think that’s where she’s going to be able to have the biggest impact for us.”

Friday trains with Judd and Jennifer Paul.

Last year, Friday finished fourth at the All American Quarter Horse Congress in AQHA Novice Youth Hunter Saddle (14-18). In 2012, she was the reserve world champion in Showmanship (14-18). In 2011, Friday was the American Paint Horse Association world champion in Novice Hunter Hack, while winning the reserve world championship in Novice Working Hunter.

Born in Dublin, Ohio, her parents are Steve and Jamie Friday, and her siblings are Greg and Erica Friday.

A senior at Dublin Coffman High School in Dublin, Ohio, Friday has a 3.9 grade point average, making her a regular on the school’s honor roll. She is a member of the National Honor Society, and a recipient of the Celebration of Excellence Award.

Friday signed with South Carolina over Texas Christian University and the University of Georgia.