Gamecocks Fall 9-8 to SMU in Season-Opener
BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. – The South Carolina equestrian team fell to SMU, 9-8, in a close season-opener at One Wood Farm on Saturday afternoon. Although the Gamecocks lost overall, they took the western portion of the meet, winning, 5-4.
Carolina had two riders win MOPs, including Caroline Gute in reining with a score of 72.5, the highest in the event, on Magnum against Holly Lansidel’s 70.5. Claiming the second MOP for the Gamecocks, Madison Brayman tallied the highest score of the day in equitation on the flat with a 70-66 victory over Tali DeJong on Ollie.
“I was fortunate to watch both of them (Gute and Brayman) with their winning rides,” head coach Boo Major said. “Her (Gute) reining ride was stellar. It’s nice to see her in there and have the confidence. She was right on the mark (Saturday). She’s been practicing beautifully and she didn’t disappoint (Saturday). I thought she rode great.
“Madison had a little blip in fences this morning and that can sometimes get in your head. When we got to the flat, you were wondering how Madison was going to come out. She rode great. She had one little error, but her ride was so good that it didn’t make a difference. It was nice to see her come back after having a disappointing ride over fences. Really proud of her for getting the job done on the flat.”
Gute also notched a win in horsemanship after scoring a 72 on Paddy, compared to SMU’s Payton Neiberger’s 70.5. Riding on Barbie, Madison Thiel scored Carolina’s second point with a 73-71.5 win against Ashley Mauney.
Along with Gute’s MOP ride in reining, the Gamecocks took two additional points thanks to Bridgett White and Jordan Scott. White finished with a score of 71 on Nike, besting Jill Pfistner who received a 68.5. On Sparky, Scott was also awarded a 71, just topping the Mustangs’ 70-point finish from Madison Steed.
“We’ve got a good group,” Major said. “I’m excited about the future and where we’re going to be going down the road. We’ve got a strong group.”
Competing for the first time as a Gamecock, freshman Trinity Hammerschmidt tallied an 85-84 win over Vivian Yowan on Batman, claiming Carolina’s only point in fences.
Adding to Brayman’s MOP ride, Louisa Brackett outrode her opponent, 67-59, for an on the flat victory against SMU’s Nora Gray on Kenny.
“SMU came in here, they were prepared, they rode well, congratulations to Coach Gwin and her staff,” Major said. “They did a great job.”
In fences, Brackett’s ride on Kenny earned her a tie with DeJong at 83. Also tying for Carolina was Quinn Brandt during horsemanship against Kara Vickery for a score of 72 on Amos. For a third tie on the day, Billi Brandner sat at 54 on the flat with Kirsten Ostling after competing on Volan.
SMU took two of the flat points after Hammerschmidt fell to Yowan on Toby, 68-63, while Madison Sellman lost on to Haley Zimmerman, 58-44, on Ella.
The Mustangs claimed three points in fences, with Brayman falling, 80-65, on Leon to Kelsie Brittan, Sellman dropping her ride to Brett Burlington on Tattoo, 79-76, and Tyler Petrie coming up just short of fences MOP, Nora Gray, on Joe, 88-86.
The two programs went 2-2 in horsemanship with Alexa Thorpe ending with a loss of 75-71.5 opposite of Haylee Schoonover, who was awarded MOP, on Reggie. Taylor Kellam also dropped her ride, losing on Jazz, 73.5-72.5, against Mallory Vroegh.
In reining, Thiel barely fell to Aubrey Alderman, 69-68.5, on Wrangler, while McKenczie Duncan lost her ride on Stoner to Savannah Ostner, 69.5-62.
Up next, the Gamecocks travel to Auburn, Ala., facing the Tigers on Friday, Sept. 29 at 4 p.m. ET.
