Nov. 20, 2015
BISHOP, Ga. – No. 8 South Carolina closed out the fall portion of its schedule on Friday at the UGA Equestrian Complex as the Gamecocks dropped a 13-5 decision to No. 2 Georgia. The Gamecocks wrap up fall competition with a 2-5 record, and Carolina finishes the first half the season with an 0-3 mark in SEC play. The Bulldogs improve to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in SEC play.
Friday’s loss is South Carolina’s first loss at the UGA Equestrian Complex since Feb. 4, 2012, which snaps a six-meet winning streak for the Gamecocks on Georgia’s home turf.
The Bulldogs beat Carolina, 3-1, in equitation over fences. Junior Sydney Smith was the only Gamecock to win a jumping point, as she defeated Georgia’s Leylan Gleeson, 76-70.
In horsemanship, Georgia again prevailed with a 3-1 victory. Senior western captain Abigail Pait tallied the lone Gamecock point, as she edged Georgia’s Madison Anger, 74.5-74.
Georgia continued to pull away from Carolina in equitation on the flat, winning the event, 4-1. Senior hunt seat captain Samantha Kraus picked up a 94-82 win over Addy Cord, the Gamecocks’ only flat point on Friday.
The Bulldogs ended the meet with a 3-2 win in reining. Freshman Madison Thiel won her first reining point as a Gamecock, beating Georgia’s Kyndall Harper, 70.5-68. Sophomore Bailey Walters also won her point with a 70-68.5 win over Charley Thiel.
The Gamecocks being the spring portion of their schedule on Jan. 30, when Carolina hosts Tennessee-Martin at One Wood Farm in Blythewood. The Gamecocks will also host home meets on Feb. 6 (Georgia) and Feb. 20 (Texas A&M).
