Gamecocks Host SMU in Season-Opener
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The No. 8-ranked South Carolina equestrian team opens its fall season by hosting No. 6 SMU on Saturday at 10 a.m. at One Wood Farm in Blythewood.
After having their exhibition meet canceled due to Hurricane Florence, the Gamecocks are ready for competition opposite of the Mustangs.
“We did get some good practices in last week,” head coach Boo Major said. “Fortunately for us it was not bad here in Columbia. We’re certainly thinking about everyone in North Carolina and on the coast.
“This week’s practice has gone great. Everybody got back to school on Sunday and we started practice right back up on Monday right where we left off. We’re going to be very prepared for a very good SMU team. I’m looking forward to a great competition on Saturday between both schools.”
The two programs last faced off during the 2017-18 season in Dallas, with Carolina coming out on top, 12-7, handing SMU its first loss of the year. The Gamecocks collected three of the four MOP awards including, equitation on the flat, horsemanship and reining. Overall, South Carolina holds an 8-3 all-time record against the Mustangs.
The Gamecocks look to win back-to-back meets against SMU with the help of their seasoned riders in seniors Madison Brayman and Madison Thiel, along with junior Caroline Gute.
Competing in hunter seat, Brayman went 9-5-1 in equitation over fences last season with one MOP, as well as 7-7-1 on the flat, grabbing two MOP awards. Thiel, who is a western rider, ended the season at 6-9-1 in horsemanship, claiming three MOPs. Also a western competitor, Gute posted a 9-9 record in reining, earning three MOPs and went 4-5-1 in horsemanship.
SMU comes into the weekend off a 14-6 defeat of Baylor in an exhibition meet hosted in Dallas at the Dallas Equestrian Center. Prior to Saturday’s event, the Mustangs will compete in a hunter-seat only meet against Sweet Briar. SMU will then see Lynchburg in a hunter seat scrimmage.
Entrance is free to all fans for each home equestrian meet. One Wood Farm is located at 1201 Syrup Mill Rd., Blythewood, S.C.
