Sept. 16, 2016
HUNT SEAT SCORESHEET // WESTERN SCORESHEET // 2016-17 GAMECOCK ROSTER // 2016-17 GAMECOCK SCHEDULE
BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. – The 2016-17 season began with a flourish on Friday as the University of South Carolina equestrian team defeated Alabama, 8-2, in a hunt season exhibition at One Wood Farm. The Gamecock western team was also in action, with the Black team defeating the Garnet squad, 5-2, in an intra-squad scrimmage.
Neither result will count toward Carolina’s official record. The regular season begins Friday, Sept. 23 for the Gamecocks as both the hunt seat and western squads are in action against Baylor at One Wood Farm.
South Carolina dispatched of the Crimson Tide after sweeping all five points in equitation on the flat. Sophomore Sarah Isgett was named M.O.P., and the Gamecocks went on to win three of the five equitation over fences points.
QUOTING HEAD COACH Boo Major
“We put in a lot of new people, both with Garnet & Black scrimmage on the western side as well as on the hunt seat side. I think we had a lot of new folks in there, and they did extremely well. I think we had some glitches here and there, but as a whole I think things went extremely well today.”
HUNT SEAT RECAP
South Carolina took down the Crimson Tide in each of the five equitation on the flat battles, setting the tone for a dominant win. Isgett bested Courtney Poist, 86-70, on Toby, and Sydney Smith was an 84-62 winner over Lauren Niebauer on Tattoo. Making her collegiate debut, Madison Sellman was a 69-63 victor over Lindsey Cayce on Mike, and another freshman, Katie Mack, earned a 75-71 win over Emma Pennell on Fina. Last but not least, Lauren Fabiano was on Eddie, and won an 85-82 decision over Kasey Emm.
Three Gamecocks secured points in equitation over fences. Madison Butehorn was on Keaton and rode to an 81-71 win over Pennell. Hanna Powers grabbed an 80-70 win over Kelsey Martin on Batman, and Sellman notched her second point of the day when she defeated Madelyn Malone, 80-77, on Joe.
WESTERN RECAP
The Black team won all three points in horsemanship en route to the victory. Courtney Allen, Madison Thiel and Meredith Milton earned the points. Milton, riding Caper, scored 75.5 and was named M.O.P.
Both teams took two points in reining, with one matchup ending in a draw. Makayla Clegg and Caroline Gute were the winners for the Black squad, while Jordan Scott and Paisley Roberts took the two Garnet points. Riding Blackie, newcomers Raegan Renfroe and Farley Wickre tied at 67, the lone split point of the day. Gute, another freshman, was awarded M.O.P. laurels after scoring 72.5 on Magnum.
NOTABLE
• All three of South Carolina’s M.O.P. winners are underclassmen. Two of the Gamecocks to win M.O.P. honors on Friday, Isgett and Milton, are sophomores, while Gute is a freshman.
• Equitation over fences M.O.P. honors went to Alabama’s Poist.
UP NEXT FOR THE GAMECOCKS
South Carolina competes in its first regular season meet of the 2016-17 season on Friday, Sept. 23, when they welcome Baylor to One Wood Farm. Start time is booked for 2 p.m. ET, and admission is free of charge.
The Gamecocks will be looking to avenge last season’s 16-3 loss to the Bears, which came on the road in Waco, Texas. The loss snapped South Carolina’s two-match winning streak in the series.
