Feb. 5, 2016
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The eighth-ranked Gamecock equestrian team returns to action on Saturday when South Carolina hosts No. 2 Georgia at One Wood Farm in Blythewood. Saturday’s meet begins at 1 p.m. and admission is free. Saturday’s competition will serve as the Gamecocks’ annual Equifest Kids Day meet, with a variety of games and activities planned for children of all ages. Participation in all Equifest Kids Day activities is free of charge.
“We’re looking forward to Saturday, not only because it’ll be Equifest, but also because we’ll be facing a tough SEC opponent in Georgia,” South Carolina head coach Boo Major said. “They’re coming off a big win at Texas A&M last week which has been the toughest place to compete at lately, so they’ve certainly proven that they can get it done on the road. I think we’ve had a good week of practice and hope we can continue to build on the positive things we were able to do last week against UT-Martin.”
SCOUTING SOUTH CAROLINA
– The Gamecocks are currently 3-5 overall and 0-3 in SEC play.
– South Carolina is currently ranked eighth in the latest NCEA Rankings.
– Saturday’s meet will be the fourth of five home meets for the Gamecocks this season.
– Carolina is currently in the middle of a three-meet home stand.
SCOUTING GEORGIA
– The Bulldogs are currently 6-1 overall and 3-1 in SEC play.
– Georgia is currently ranked second in the latest NCEA Rankings.
– The Bulldogs have not lost a regular season meet in Blythewood since Feb. 5, 2011.
– Georgia closes out its regular season with home meets in three of the Bulldogs’ final four competitions.
DID YOU KNOW?
Friday’s competition between the Gamecocks and Bulldogs will mark the third time in the last 15 meetings that neither team has held the top spot in the NCEA Rankings.
– Feb. 6, 2016 – No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 8 South Carolina
– Nov. 20, 2015 – No. 8 South Carolina vs. No. 2 Georgia (Lost 13-5)
– Apr. 18, 2015 – No. 3 South Carolina vs. No. 1 Georgia (Won 10-6)
– Feb. 7, 2015 – No. 3 South Carolina vs. No. 5 Georgia (Won 11-9)
– Oct. 3, 2014 – No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 5 South Carolina (Lost 9-11)
– April 19, 2014 – No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 1 South Carolina (Lost 8-8)
– Mar. 29, 2014 – No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 1 South Carolina (Won 10-10)
– Feb. 8, 2014 – No. 1 South Carolina at No. 6 Georgia (Won 10-9)
– Oct. 11, 2013 – No. 1 Georgia at No. 3 South Carolina (Lost 9-9)
– Apr. 20, 2013 – No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 3 Georgia (NCEA Western, Lost 3-5)
– Mar. 29, 2013 – No. 6 South Carolina vs. No. 1 Georgia (Won 10-7)
– Feb. 2, 2013 – No. 3 Georgia at No. 1 South Carolina (Lost 8-11)
– Nov. 2, 2012 – No. 2 South Carolina at No. 1 Georgia (Won 11-8)
– Apr. 14, 2012 – No. 3 South Carolina vs. No. 1 Georgia (NCEA Hunt Seat, Lost 3-5)
– Mar. 31, 2012 – No. 6 South Carolina at No. 1 Georgia (Won 10-10)
LAST MEETING
The Gamecocks and Bulldogs last met on Nov. 20, 2015 in the fall finale for both teams. The second-ranked Bulldogs won the meet, 13-5.
LAST MEETING IN BLYTHEWOOD
Saturday’s meet marks the first competition between the two teams in Blythewood since Oct. 3, 2014. Then-No. 1 Georgia defeated then-No. 5 South Carolina, 11-9, in the Gamecocks’ SEC opener. South Carolina lead the Bulldogs, 7-5, but Georgia went on to win the next five points and six out of the final eight to pull ahead for the two-point win.
NCEA TEAM RANKINGS – February 2, 2016
1. Auburn (6-1)
2. Georgia (6-1)
3. Baylor (7-2)
4. Texas A&M (6-2)
5. Oklahoma State (4-2)
6. TCU (3-4)
7. Fresno State (3-4)
8. South Carolina (3-5)
9. Kansas State (3-3)
10. SMU (2-5)
SEC RIDER OF THE MONTH
Gamecock senior Abigail Pait became the team’s first western rider this season to be named SEC Rider of the Month, the league office announced on Wednesday. Pait was named SEC Horsemanship Rider of the Month, her first such honor by the Southeastern Conference. She is the 11th Gamecock rider all-time to earn the recognition, and she currently leads all Carolin western riders with five victories and two Most Outstanding Player awards.
UP NEXT
The Gamecocks are off next weekend, but return home on Feb. 20 when Carolina hosts Texas A&M in its final home meet of the season. Before the meet, the Gamecocks will recognize their eight-member senior class in the team’s Senior Day ceremony.
