Feb. 9, 2018
Meet #7 – Equestrian vs. Texas A&M
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The University of South Carolina equestrian team is back at One Wood Farm on Saturday for an SEC clash when the eighth-ranked Gamecocks host No. 2 Texas A&M. The competition begins at 10 a.m. ET.
Saturday’s meet is Carolina’s first SEC competition of the spring as the race for SEC Championship seeding heats up. Live results for the day are available here.
LAST TIME OUT
• South Carolina opened their spring slate in the best way possible, rallying from an early deficit to defeat No. 2 SMU, 12-7, Feb. 3 in Dallas, Texas.
• The Gamecocks trailed after equitation over fences, 4-1, but roared back to life by sweeping all five reining points. Carolina was also victorious in horsemanship and equitation on the flat.
• Three Gamecocks earned MOP honors against the Mustangs: Louisa Brackett (equitation on the flat), Madison Thiel (horsemanship) and Bailey Walters (reining).
• Brackett was also a winner in jumping, earning two points in her collegiate debut.
• Walters was named MOP for the 10th time as a Gamecock, tops on the club.
LAST TIME vs. TEXAS A&M
• South Carolina and then-No. 1 Texas A&M opened the season against each other on Sept. 29, 2017 in College Station, with the Aggies earning a 12-8 win.
• Carolina was most successful in horsemanship, where Madison Thiel was named MOP and the Gamecocks won three of the five points.
• Madison Brayman won two points in her Carolina debut, earning tallies on the flat and over fences.
SCOUTING THE AGGIES
• The Aggies hold a 7-3 record, including a 2-1 SEC mark, and they are ranked second in this week’s NCEA national poll.
• Texas A&M defeated No. 6 Fresno State, 12-6, Feb. 3 in its last meet.
• Alex Desiderio leads the Aggie hunt seat team with 14 total points, having earning seven wins each in flat and fences.
• Texas A&M has a deep western squad, with five riders leading the team with six points each.
HISTORY VS. TEXAS A&M
• South Carolina and Texas A&M share a competitive history, with the Aggies leading 11-10 after 21 meetings.
• The Gamecocks will be looking to snap a four-meet skid against Texas A&M, with Carolina last topping the Aggies, 11-8, on March 26, 2016.
SCOUTING THE GAMECOCKS
• South Carolina heads into the weekend 2-4 (0-3 SEC) and is ranked eighth in the latest NCEA national poll.
• On the hunt seat side, Madison Brayman is 4-2 in both flat and jumping to pace the Gamecocks.
• Lauren Fabiano has been Carolina’s top performer in equitation over fences, with a 5-1 record and three MOPs.
• Bridgett White and Bailey Walters lead the reining squad with four wins each, while Madison Thiel and Megan Overberg each hold three horsemanship victories.
• Fabiano was named SEC Rider of the Month in November for her jumping efforts, while Kate Eagleton earned the NCEA’s Standout Rider of the Month award in November.
GAMECOCK PROGRAM HISTORY
• The 2017-18 season marks the 22nd year of the Gamecock equestrian program, as well as head coach Boo Major’s 21st season at the helm.
• The Gamecocks have won three national championships (2005, 2007, 2015).
• South Carolina has two runner-up finishes (2006, 2014).
• The Gamecocks have won two SEC Conference championships (2013, 2014).
• Carolina won the 2012 Southern Equestrian Championship, the precursor to the SEC Championship, which was added for the 2012-13 season
MEET THE COACHES
• The 2017-18 campaign will be the 21st season for head coach Boo Major, as Major celebrated the milestone mark of 20 years last year.
• In those 20 years at the helm, Major has piled up three NCEA National Championships, two SEC Championships and two National Coach of the Year awards (2014, 2015).
• Associate head coach Ruth Sorrel is in her 13th year with the Gamecocks as the leader of Carolina’s western team.
• South Carolina welcomes home Kristen Terebesi this season, as the former Gamecock equestrian standout returns to lead the hunt seat squad.
UP NEXT
The Gamecocks host back-to-back home meets, with the double-dip concluding Feb. 17 against Georgia. The meet is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET, and it’s Equifest Kids Day out at One Wood Farm.
