Jan. 23, 2015
COLUMBIA, S.C. – University of South Carolina equestrian coach Boo Major on Friday announced the signing of South Carolina native Joanie Lehman (Greer, S.C./Woodruff High School) to a National Letter of Intent to join the Gamecocks for the 2015-2016 season. Lehman is a western rider and will compete for the Gamecocks in reining.
“We’re looking forward to adding Joanie to our team for next season,” Major said. “We’ve always had a lot of success adding western riders from in-state and we think we’ve found another good one in Joanie. One of our goals each year is to make sure the best riders in South Carolina stay in-state, and so far we’ve been able to do that with Joanie and Sarah (Isgett). Joanie has a ton of reining miles and she’s been showing a lot recently, and she’s someone that will certainly be able to help us next year.”
Lehman trains with Jamie Bissell.
In 2014, Lehman finished second in Intermediate Non Pro and third in Non Pro at the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity Show. She also competed at the All American Quarter Horse Congress in the NRHA classes, finishing first in Limited Non Pro and third in Intermediate Non Pro. At the 2014 NRHA Southeast Affiliate Finals, Lehman finished third in Youth (14-18). At the NRHA Derby, she earned a top-20 finish in the 7 & Up and a top-10 finish in Youth (14-18). At the National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC), she posted another top-20 finish in the 7 & Up and another top-10 finish in Youth (14-18). Showing at the NRHA Futurity Show in the fall, Lehman competed in Limited Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro, Non Pro, and Youth (14-18) and Affiliate Youth (14-18).
From 2012-2014, Lehman was a NRHA Southeast Affiliate qualifier from the Dixie Reining Horse Association.
A senior at Woodruff High School, Lehman is a member of the Beta Club, National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Spanish Club. She also is a member of the band (first chair trumpet), earning All-State and Regions honors on the trumpet.
Her parents are Ken and Janice Lehman, and she has a younger brother, John. Her brother John and mother both are reiners and compete at NRHA shows.
