No. 7 Gamecocks to Host No. 4 Texas A&M and College of Charleston

BLYTHEWOOD, SC – The seventh-ranked South Carolina Equestrian team (4-2, 0-2) is set to host No. 4 Texas A&M (3-1, 1-0) and the College of Charleston on Friday. The meet with Aggies will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by a jumping seat only meet with the Cougars at 2:00 p.m.

LAST TIME OUT

The Gamecocks last saw the No. 2 Auburn Tigers on the road, falling 14-4. Despite the loss, several riders put up new season and career-highs against the Tigers and defeated them on the Flat 3-1. Sophomore Ellie Beard put up a season-high of 90 to earn her point over Ellie Ferrigno, while fellow sophomore Natalie Jayne and junior Sophie Mitchell took their points as well. For her ride, Mitchell picked up her second MOP of the season. Newcomer Sarah Rabb also impressed, tallying a career-high 91 to tie with her Tiger opponent.

Co-captain and fifth-year Jordan Allen took the lone point in Fences for the Gamecocks, coming out on top 83-81 over Mary Grace Seagars for her fifth win of the season. Auburn swept the Western events, but South Carolina saw a new season high in Horsemanship from Kiersten Beckner with her 76, falling just short of Madison Parduhn’s 76.5. In Reining, the Gamecocks came within no more than half a point to their Tiger opponents, and junior Haley Turner tied with Alexia Tordoff 71.5-71.5.

SCOUTING THE AGGIES

Friday’s meet with Texas A&M will be the 33rd in program history for full-team meets. The Aggies currently lead the series 23-9, with the last South Carolina victory coming in a 10-10 tiebreaker in 2020. The Gamecocks last saw TAMU in February of 2023, putting up a fight but ultimately falling 11-8.

The Aggies come into the meet having faced their first loss of the season to No. 3 SMU, falling in raw scores after a 9-9 finish. Friday’s meet will be the fifth consecutive meet against a top-10 opponent for Texas A&M, having previously faced No. 7 Baylor, No. 6 Georgia, and No. 5 Oklahoma State.

SCOUTING THE COUGARS

The College of Charleston will make history for themselves on Friday, competing in an NCEA meet for the first time in program history against the Gamecocks. An ISHA member, the Cougars gave an impressive performance at their first IHSA competition of the season, winning champion high point team at the opening IHSA Regional competition in Aiken, S.C. The Cougars will also face two other SEC opponents this year, taking on Auburn and Texas A&M in the spring.

The meet will consist of Flat and Fences, with four riders competing for each school. The result of the meet will not count towards South Carolina’s overall record, but will for the individual riders’ records, per NCEA policy on meets featuring dual and single-discipline teams.

FAN INFO

Fans are encouraged to check out the Know Before You Go page, and follow along with in-meet updates on Twitter and Instagram @GamecockEQ.