Carolina Defeats Delaware State, 14-6

Feb. 4, 2017

BISHOP, Ga. — The University of South Carolina equestrian team earned their most convincing victory of the season on Saturday as they knocked off Delaware State, 14-6, in a neutral-site meet at the UGA Equestrian Complex. Carolina won all four disciplines to close the first spring weekend of the regular season.

In addition to the team victory, South Carolina collected three of the four MOP awards. Lauren Fabiano, Lizzie van der Walde and Madison Thiel all won top honors in Saturday’s triumph.

The Gamecocks improve to 4-4 (1-3 SEC) with the win, while Delaware State falls to 0-9 on the year.

QUOTING HEAD COACH Boo Major

“This was a great win today for our team. To win each event was a real confidence booster for us. We had a couple of riders that lost their concentration a little, but overall we had a super effort today.”

EQUITATION ON THE FLAT RECAP

The Gamecocks began the day by taking four of the five points on the flat. Fabiano defeated Hayley Anderson on CJ, 84-75, and Chloe Schmidt followed with a 77-74 victory over Caroline Schock on Cookie Dough. Sydney Smith took down Emily Nelson, 81-0, on Granit, and van der Walde finished the event with an 87-70 triumph, riding Princeton past Rachel Dantley.

Fabiano was awarded MOP laurels at the end of the meet. It’s her second MOP award this season.

HORSEMANSHIP RECAP

Running simultaneously with the flat competition, Carolina won four of the five horsemanship points. Lindsey Slack overcame Balyne Bell, 72.5-70.5, on Abner, and Megan Overberg scored a big win over Angelina Watts, 72-65.5, on Bentley. Thiel grabbed a 73-69.5 victory on Skip over Shelbe Jarrett, and last but not least, Bailey Mierzejewski won for the second straight day when she beat Abigail Buckwalter, 72.5-71, on Whiz.

Thiel’s score of 73 was the highest of the day in the horsemanship arena. The MOP honor is her second ever in horsemanship and her third overall MOP effort.

EQUITATION OVER FENCES RECAP

Three Gamecocks brought home victories in jumping. Madison Butehorn edged out Molly Gara on Cookie Dough, 83-82, and van der Walde was an 88-69 winner on Drohen over Schock. The third point came from Kirklen Petersen, who took down Nelson, 85-62, on Owen.

After winning both MOP honors in the exhibition win over Converse last week, van der Walde was the top jumper again on Saturday.

REINING RECAP

Three more Gamecocks scored reining victories. Jordan Scott earned a 68.5-60 win over Madison Sullivan on Banjo, and Caroline Gute squeaked past Monica Ellis, 66-65, on Peeko. The last point came from Kara Guertin, who scored a 58.5-58 win over Cheyenne Adams on Tootsie.

Reining was the lone event where the Hornets won the MOP. Jarrett was victorious after scoring 69 in her matchup, the high tally of the meet.

NOTABLE

• Petersen’s jumping victory was her first career regular-season win, while Thiel’s horsemanship triumph was her first point in the event this season.
• With the victory, Carolina is now 10-2 all-time against the Hornets.

UP NEXT FOR THE GAMECOCKS

The Gamecocks head to the Lone Star State next weekend to face No. 2 Texas A&M and No. 9 TCU. The matchup with the Aggies is set for Friday, Feb. 10, while Carolina calls on the Horned Frogs on Sunday, Feb. 12

Major’s team lost a tight battle with Texas A&M on Sept. 30 at One Wood Farm, 10-8. Madison Butehorn (fences) and Caroline Gute (reining) won MOP honors for the Gamecocks.

Carolina last faced TCU on Oct. 2, 2015, an 11-8 win at One Wood Farm. Horsemanship MOP accolades went to Madison Thiel in the victory.