Carolina Earns Multiple Awards at the SEC Championship
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – South Carolina took home three MOP honors in its, 11-8, loss to Georgia on Saturday morning at the Hildebrand Equine Complex in the SEC Championship consolation round.
Senior Madison Thiel was awarded for her big Horsemanship win, defeating Lexie Lane on Bud, 214.5-0, for a point Gamecocks. Then, in Equitation Over Fences, freshman Grady Lyman was honored after scoring a 261, defeating Ali Tritschler by 111 points on Sagaro, 261-150. Riding in Reining, junior Caroline Gute took the award after her, 211-0, victory opposite of Graysen Stroud.
In addition to their MOP honors, Thiel and Gute were named to the Horsemanship and Reining All-Championship Teams, respectively, at the conclusion of the championship round. Thiel was the Horsemanship MOP in both of Carolina’s meets this weekend, while Gute took both of the Reining honors.
“Overall, not the ending that we would have liked for the weekend,” head coach Boo Major said. “We improved in a lot of places. One thing that I’m very proud of is some solid performances. Caroline Gute and Madison Thiel had a fantastic weekend. Louis Brackett was super. Madison Sellman was fantastic – Tyler Petrie, Grady Lyman – the folks that really got out there and got the job done.”
Carolina won the Equitation Over Fences portion of the day, 4-1, against the Bulldogs. Collecting a point first, Petrie topped Emma Mandarino, 241-238, on Cartoon. Sellman followed up with a, 239-228, victory with Como against Sydney Hutchins. Senior Madison Brayman downed Maddy Darst on Karl by 67 points, 262-195.
Senior Bridgett White tallied a Reining victory for Carolina with a, 209.5-199, winning ride over Jordan Carpenter on Tank.
In Equitation on the Flat, Sellman claimed the Gamecocks’ only point in the event, topping Tritschler, 247-244, on Risky. Tying, Louisa Brackett and Madison Newman both scored a 237 atop Doc.
“Texas A&M did a fantastic job with the meet,” Major said. “We had a great weekend and we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. Now we’re going to gear up and get ready for nationals.”
Next, South Carolina takes a couple weeks off from competing to prepare for the NCEA Championship, running from April 17-20 in Waco, Texas.
Continue to check back with gamecocksonline.com for more updates or follow the team on social media (@GamecockEQ).
