No. 6 Gamecocks Down Delaware State on Senior Day, 14-5
BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. – The South Carolina equestrian team defeated Delaware State on Senior Day, 15-4, on Friday afternoon at One Wood Farm. The No. 6 Gamecocks won both the Western and Hunter Seat portions of the day, 8-1 and 7-3, respectively.
With the victory, South Carolina ends the regular season at 6-6 overall and 1-5 in SEC competitions. The Hornets fell to a season mark of 3-7 and stand at 3-1 in the UEC.
Carolina swept MOP honors in its last meet of the regular season. Senior Madison Thiel had the highest-scoring ride of the Horsemanship competition with a 76, earning the honor. In Equitatoin on the Flat, senior Madison Brayman was awarded for her 84. Junior Caroline Gute took the award in Reining after scoring a 71.5. In Equitation Over Fences, freshman Grady Lyman was honored for her 80-point ride.
“It was one of our goals to ride extremely well and to send our seniors out on our last meet at home with a big win, which happened,” head coach Boo Major said. “All of our seniors rode really well. All of the seniors got to ride and compete today, which was fantastic. We saw a lot of great scores and I’m proud of the whole entire time for getting out there and rallying and not saying it’s over or giving up until we were done (Friday).”
The Gamecocks took the Horsemanship portion of the day, not allowing Delaware State a single point, 4-0. Thiel kicked things off for Carolina, topping Elizabeth Lynch, 76-72.5, on Jazz. Following, senior Quinn Brandt notched a, 73-72, victory over Kelsey McArthur on Tulip. Winning the third point for Carolina in the event, freshman Sloane Vogt rode to a, 71-69.5, victory on Reggie opposite of Shelbe Jarrett. Bringing Carolina’s total to four, Gute defeated Blayne Bell, 71-69.5, on Peaches. Closing out the event, freshman Mackenzie Matthews and Samantha Elliott tied, 73.5-73.5, on Amos.
In Equitation Over Fences, Lyman was the first rider out, winning her point by 11, 80-69, against Eva Epstein on Redford. Getting the second point for the Gamecocks, Brayman topped Zoe Kirsch on Batman, 79-75.
South Carolina started the second half by winning Reining, 4-1. Gute got her second win of the day, downing Angelina Watts, 71.5-70, on Magnum. Thiel also grabbed her second victory after edging by Amber van Segbrook on Nike, 69.5-69. Sophomore McKenzie Duncan added to Carolina’s total in Reining, defeating Jarrett, 71-70, on Sparky. Senior Bridgett White tallied a win on Wrangler, 69-67, topping Elliott.
Continuing their strong day, the Gamecocks closed out Senior Day by sweeping Equitation on the Flat, 5-0. Senior Lizzie van der Walde rode to a massive, 84-0, victory on Marquee opposite of Sydney Wicklund. Brayman earned her second win of the day on Kenny, topping Gabrielle Fournier, 84-77. Sophomore Louisa Brackett added to the total with her, 81-72, win over Miranda Adock on Ollie. Competing on Tattoo, junior Madison Sellman defeated Kirsch, 83-75. Scoring the final point of the day, Lyman earned a, 85-82, victory over Erin Gordon on Volan.
“They never let up and they rode very well and very hard,” Major said. “I’m very excited. I think that leaves us on a good note. Once they come back from spring break, I think we’re in a good spot to get ready for the SEC Championship at Texas A&M.”
Up next, the Gamecocks will start preparations for the SEC Championship, held at Texas A&M on Friday, March 29 and Saturday, March 30.
Continue to check back with gamecocksonline.com for more updates or follow the team on social media (@GamecockEQ).
