Jan. 30, 2015

MEET INFORMATION
WHAT:	No. 5 SMU at No. 3 South Carolina
WHEN:	Saturday, Jan. 31 • 10 pa.m. ET
LOCATION:	Blythewood, S.C. • One Wood Farm
ADMISSION:	Free
LIVE SCORING:	Click Here
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Coach Major

COLUMBIA. S.C. – No. 3 South Carolina begins the spring portion of its schedule on Saturday when the Gamecocks host fifth-ranked SMU at One Wood Farm in Blythewood. Saturday’s meet will begin at 10 a.m. and admission is free.

Prior to the start of Saturday’s meet, University of South Carolina athletics director Ray Tanner and Town of Blythewood Mayor Mike Ross will be presented with their 2014 SEC Equestrian Championship rings.

Saturday’s meet marks the first ever dual meet between the Gamecocks and Mustangs. SMU added a western team before the start of the 2013-2014 season.

“We’re looking forward to competing against a very talented SMU team on Saturday,” South Carolina head coach Boo Major said. “I think Carol (Gwin) has done a tremendous job in the six months that she’s been there and really has her team rolling. They’re three points away from being 6-1 right now instead of 4-3, so they’re a team that has proven they can compete against anybody. We ended the fall on a very positive note and since we now have three meets over the next eight days, we need to come out strong and ride as well as I know we can. I really like what I’m seeing out of everybody and I think they’re excited to go out and compete against a tough opponent on Saturday.”

ONE WOOD FARM RULES
• For the safety of the riders and horses, pets are not allowed at One Wood Farm.
• Noisemakers (spirit sticks, spirit clappers, spirit cowbells, stadium horns, megaphones, speakers, and bullhorns) are prohibited from being used at One Wood Farm.

DIRECTIONS TO ONE WOOD FARM
Take I-77 N. to Exit 27 – Blythewood Road. Turn left back over the interstate and pass Cobblestone Park. Continue on Blythewood Road for approximately one mile, then turn right on the first road on the right, which is Syrup Mill Road. One Wood Farm is the first driveway on the left and is marked by a large Gamecock sign.

SCOUTING THE GAMECOCKS
• South Carolina is 4-2 overall this season, and 2-1 in SEC play.
• The Gamecocks the highest ranked SEC team in the country at No. 3.
• Carolina 3-1 on the road this season and 1-1 at home.
• The Gamecocks have not lost a spring meet at home since February 2, 2013.

SCOUTING THE MUSTANGS
• SMU is 4-3 this season.
• Two of SMU’s three losses have come by two or fewer points.
• The Mustangs have not won a road meet this season.
• SMU is on a two-day SEC road trip. The Mustangs compete at Auburn on Friday before coming to South Carolina.

LAST MEETING
In a hunt seat only meet on Nov. 18, 2012, then-No. 1 South Carolina was upset, 5-4 by the tenth-ranked Mustangs.

LAST MEETING IN BLYTHEWOOD
The Gamecocks and Mustangs last faced off in Blythewood in a hunt seat only meet on Sept. 24, 2010. In Carol Gwin’s first meet as South Carolina’s hunt seat coach, the Gamecocks cruised to a 8-4 win over the Mustangs. Then-sophomore Kimberly McCormack went 2-for-2 against SMU, sweeping both MVP honors in equitation over fences and equitation on the flat.

NCEA RANKINGS
1. Baylor
2. Texas Christian
3. South Carolina
4. Auburn
5. SMU
6. Kansas State
7. Fresno State
8. Texas A&M
9. Georgia
10. New Mexico State

GOOD TO BE HOME
Saturday marks South Carolina’s first home meet since Oct. 31, when the Gamecocks defeated Texas A&M, 12-8.

The Gamecocks are currently in a stretch where they are at home just one time in a span of six meets:

Nov. 7 – at Fresno State (Won, 13-6)
Nov. 21 – at Oklahoma State (Won, 12-8)
Jan. 31 – vs. SMU
Feb. 7 – at Georgia
Feb. 8 – vs. Delaware State (at Georgia)
Feb. 21 – at Texas A&M

UP NEXT
The Gamecocks travel to Bishop, Ga. next Saturday for a doubleheader against Georgia and Delaware State. Saturday’s doubleheader will begin at 10 a.m. ET at the UGA Equestrian Complex as the Gamecocks will face Georgia. At the conclusion of that meet, South Carolina will face Delaware State.