No. 7 Gamecocks Head to Delaware to Open Season

COLUMBIA, SC – The No. 7 ranked Gamecock Equestrian team is set to kick off the 2024-25 season this weekend, taking on No. 9 Delaware State (Sept. 27) and Minnesota Crookston (Sept. 28). South Carolina will compete in a full meet against Delaware State on Friday, followed by the first half of the meet against Minnesota Crookston. The remainder of the Minnesota Crookston meet will occur on Saturday, Sept. 28.

The meet against the Hornets will mark the first for Carol Gwin as the program’s newest head coach.

LAST TIME OUT

South Carolina had a successful 2023-24 campaign, finishing the regular season 7-6, the first winning season since the 2019-20 year. The year was highlighted by a win over No. 4 Auburn (Feb. 3), the first win over the Tigers since 2015.

The Gamecocks were ranked in the top-10 of the NCEA poll the entire season, reaching as high as No. 4 in the nation. At the SEC Championship, Chloe Stephenson (Reining), Natalie Jayne (Fences), and Tierney Horton (Horsemanship) were all named MOPs.

Three Gamecocks were named NCEA Ariat All-Americans. Mary Hunter Millet earned First Team honors for the Flat, while Sophie Mitchell (Flat) earned Second Team and Emilia Reutimann (Reining) was given Honorable Mention. Sophie Mitchell was also named the SEC Flat Rider of the Year.

SCOUTING THE HORNETS

Friday’s meeting with Delaware State will be the 14th in program history. The Gamecocks hold a 12-2 advantage over the Hornets, having last met in 2022 (Sept. 23) on the road, taking home a 14-6 win.

Current senior Tierney Horton was named MOP for her 74 on Ellie Mae in Horsemanship.

SCOUTING THE GOLDEN EAGLES

The meet with Minnesota Crookston will be just the third between the two programs. South Carolina has defeated the Golden Eagles in both outings, most recently in a 13-3 victory in the 2022-23 season.

Current junior Natalie Jayne received an MOP in Fences for her point with an 88.

FAN INFO

For in-meet updates, follow us on X and Instagram, @GamecockEQ.