Senior Spotlights: Jumping Seat
COLUMBIA, S.C. – This weekend we’re honoring our class of 2021 seniors, and ahead of that celebration after Saturday’s meet we wanted to highlight each of our seniors. Today we’re focusing on our five graduating jumping seat riders, with quotes from head coach Boo Major on each woman.
Kate Bonham’s South Carolina tenure has seen her lead the way for the team on both the academic and community service fronts, earning SEC Academic Honor Roll distinction three times (and she’s on her way to a fourth consecutive honor) in addition to NCEA Academic Honor Roll honors as a sophomore and junior (with another set to come for her senior season) shows her dedication in the classroom, but her community service efforts set her apart. Bonham has been a staple at the team’s community service events through her four years, even racking up 61 hours in the 2019-20 school year, the second highest total in the athletics department. Her efforts resulted in being named the NCEA Standout Athlete of the Month in November 2020, and she’s set to graduate with a degree in public health.
“Kate has been one of the most dedicated student-athletes on our team. I don’t think I have ever heard a harsh word come out of her mouth and she has always led her teammates by example. Her quiet demeanor and ‘get the job done’ personality is one I will miss for many years to come. It has been nothing but a joy and privilege to have had Kate on our team for the last four years.”
Louisa Brackett made an impact immediately, earning four wins on the flat as a freshman and winning a pair of matchups in over fences action on her way to a spot on the SEC All-Freshman team. A solid sophomore campaign followed, but when she entered her junior season Brackett truly began to shine. The Grayslake, Ill. native led all jumping seat riders with 15 wins in 2019-20 with eight flat wins and seven over fences wins, eventually earning NCEA All-American Honorable Mention distinction for her over fences work. The 2020 NCEA All-Academic First Team and multi-time NCEA and SEC Academic Honor Roll honoree is set to graduate with a criminology and criminal justice degree.
“Louisa has been a great influence on the team from the minute she set foot on campus. Her sheer enthusiasm at our competitions has elevated the support our team has for each other when competing. Everyone is very familiar with Louisa’s voice at our competitions because she never wastes a quiet moment at a meet to yell out a cheer for the competing athlete. I will really miss hearing her voice on those days! She has been a great Captain, competitor, and teammate.”
Billi Brandner earned a spot on the SEC All-Freshman team in her first season but found her groove as a junior. Brandner posted a career best seven wins in her junior season, including a six-meet winning streak that saw her pick up road wins against ranked SMU and Oklahoma State squads. Brander also earned NCEA All-Academic Honorable Mentions distinction and SEC Academic Honor Roll honors as a junior. Brander will graduate with a degree in finance.
“It has really been fun to see the evolution of Billi over the past four years both in and out of the arena. A no nonsense kind of person, Billi brings a great sense of humor to the table as well as the willingness to learn and constantly strive to get better. She earned her way into a starting position on the team through perseverance and hard work. I think Billi is going to go far in the ‘real world’ going down whatever path she chooses.”
Rawleigh Harris is the quintessential teammate, and one of the vital gears that keeps the operation running on meet days. From helping prepare the horses, to assisting the announcers and floating around the farm, ready to help with anything that comes up, Harris always provides that spark that the team needs on meet day. A NCEA Academic Honor Roll and SEC Academic Honor Roll honoree, Harris is set to graduate with an environmental studies degree.
“A South Carolina product, I still remember meeting Rawleigh at the Blowing Rock Horse Show when some friends of mine told me she needed to be on our team… they were right. Rawleigh has contributed so many things that I have come to appreciate that her teammates may not be aware of. Rawleigh has always been there at competitions for me and is someone I can ALWAYS count on to succeed at the job I ask her to do. Whether it is schooling horses, helping our announcer get things correct in the jumping seat arena during a meet or just being a solid dependable teammate, Rawleigh is always there. She is always there to do whatever is asked of her and she does it with a smile on her face.”
Tyler Petrie has shined during her four years as a Gamecock, from earning over fences SEC All-Freshman honors in her first year, to her breakout sophomore campaign, Petrie continues to bring it every time she rides. After notching 10 wins as a sophomore, she followed that with six strong wins in a shortened 2019-20 season, and also earned her first M.O.P. wins that season with one coming in over fences and the other coming on the flat. The SEC Academic Honor Roll honoree will graduate with a sport & entertainment management degree.
“Tyler has been a solid over fences performer all four years she has been at South Carolina. Tyler wears her heart on her sleeve and has always been one capable of expressing her opinions and feelings to us as coaches in good times and bad. I have always appreciated Tyler’s ability to be open and honest with a desire to do the right thing. Her natural ability over fences and on the flat is one that is hard to match. She has a way with horses that builds confidence and trust that not all riders are capable of. I am going to really miss our many conversations. I can’t wait to see how Tyler does as a professional.”
