No. 4 Gamecocks Battle Against No. 5 Georgia for SEC Finale

BLYTHEWOOD, SC – The No. 4 ranked South Carolina Equestrian team (6-6, 1-5) kept No. 5 Georgia on their toes until the final ride, ultimately falling 11-9 at home.

The Gamecocks were outscored by the Bulldogs 4-1 on the Flat, with Sophie Mitchell earning the lone point for South Carolina with her 78-63 win over Catalina Peralta on Joe. Over in Horsemanship, Georgia continued their stride, taking things 4-1 as well. Tierney Horton kept the Bulldogs from a sweep with her 73.5-70.5 win on Houdini over Leah Anderson.

In the second half, the Gamecocks turned things around, taking down Georgia 4-1 in Fences. Sophomore Bella Primavera got things started with a season-high 87 on Schnitzel, defeating Tessa Downey’s 79. For her ride, Primavera earned her very first career MOP. Alexa Aureliano kept things going, with a huge 85.5-63 win over Peralta to earn her point. Natalie Jayne earned a 14-point win over Jennifer Staniloff 74-60 on Nano, while Grace Rabb rounded things out with an 84-83.5 win on Dento over Tessa P. Brown to bring things within three points, 6-9.

The South Carolina Reining squad kept things close, opening up the event with two wins coming from Emilia Reutimann (70-69.5 on Kinzie) and Chloe Stephenson to tie things 8-9. Georgia then secured the next point, but senior Emma Lane got things back within one taking down Caitlin Lyons 66.5-65.5 on Chexie. The meet came down to the final ride with a chance to tie, but the Bulldogs ultimately pulled off the upset.

UP NEXT 

South Carolina will round out the 2023-24 regular season at home, taking on South Dakota State University on Friday, March 1 at 10:00 a.m.