Feb. 21, 2014

COLUMBIA, S.C. – After five straight meets on the road, the top-ranked South Carolina equestrian team returns home on Saturday, when the Gamecocks host No. 10 Texas A&M at One Wood Farm in Blythewood. Saturday’s meet will begin at 10 a.m., and admission is free to all Carolina equestrian events. Fans are advised that pets are not allowed at One Wood Farm, and for the safety of the horses and riders, noisemakers and noise devices (megaphones/bells/air horns, etc.) are not permitted.

“We’re looking forward to finally getting to compete at home, and I know the girls are excited to get to show in front of our home fans for the first time this spring,” South Carolina head coach Boo Major said. “Texas A&M is the the only team that has beaten us outright this season, so we’re really going to need to ride well on Saturday and compete hard. We’ve had a good season so far, but I’ve been very impressed with how hard everyone has been working to continue getting better, and that’s what we’ll need to do in order to have a successful spring.”

MEET INFORMATION
• WHO: No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 10 Texas A&M
• WHEN: Sat., Feb. 22, 2014 • 10 a.m.
• WHERE: One Wood Farm • Blythewood, S.C.
• FOLLOW: Live Scoring | Facebook | Twitter

SETTING THE STAGE
• Saturday’s meet will be South Carolina’s first home meet since Oct. 9 against Georgia.
• This will be the first of four meets in Blythewood this spring for the Gamecocks. South Carolina will host Auburn next Saturday, followed by the SEC Championships on March 28-29.
• Saturday’s meet is the first of an SEC doubleheader. At 2 p.m. in Bishop, Ga., Georgia and Auburn will face off. With three teams (Auburn, Georgia, South Carolina) still in contention for the No. 1 seed at next month’s SEC Championship in Blythewood, Saturday’s results will give a clearer picture of the race.

SCOUTING THE GAMECOCKS
• South Carolina is currently No. 1 in the National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) rankings. The Gamecocks have been the nation’s top ranked team since Dec. 2, 2013. Carolina’s 12-week run at No. 1 is the longest by any Gamecock team during a season.
• The Gamecocks are 8-2 overall this year and 2-2 in SEC play.
• Both of South Carolina’s losses have been at the hands of SEC opponents.
• The Gamecocks have posted nine or more points in all ten meets this season.
• Carolina has posted nine or more points in 16 of their last 17 dual meets dating back to last season.

SCOUTING THE AGGIES
• Texas A&M is currently ranked 10th in the NCEA rankings.
• The Aggies are 2-6 overall and a 1-4 in SEC play.
• Texas A&M’s only conference win this season was against South Carolina in October.
• All four of Texas A&M’s conference losses have been by two points or less: