Gamecocks Upset No. 4 Texas A&M
BLYTHEWOOD, SC – The No. 8 ranked South Carolina Equestrian team (3-3, 1-3) upset No. 4 Texas A&M (5-4, 1-3) at home on Saturday, defeating the Aggies 11-9 for the first time since the 2019-20 season, five years to the day (Feb. 8). It marked the first SEC win of head coach Carol Gwin’s career at the helm of the Gamecocks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
FENCES
The Gamecocks got things started the day off in Fences, with Texas A&M grabbing the first point. Natalie Jayne then answered back, taking her point 83-80.5 on Rio. The Aggies took the next two available points, but Grace Rabb kept South Carolina on their heels with an 85-84.5 win on Dento over Alida Treuting.
HORSEMANSHIP
Carly Jenkins opened up scoring for the Gamecocks, taking down Millie Landon 74.25-73.25 on Z. The Aggies then took two points of their own, but South Carolina emerged victorious in the event after Jordyn Humbert (75.25-74) and Alyssa Jipping (75.75-70.25) each got a win. Jipping’s 75.75 on Brad marked a new season-high for the Gamecock.
FLAT
South Carolina defeated the Aggies 3-2 on the Flat, with Amira Kettaneh taking her point 90-82.5 over Brooke Brombach to get things going. Sophie Mitchell defeated Devan M. Thomas by 10 points, getting the 85-75 win on Goose. Natalie Jayne rounded out the event on Campino, posting an 89.5-87.5 over Rylee Shufelt to grab the third win for South Carolina. For her ride, Jayne earned her fourth MOP of the season, tying for the most as a junior in the event in program history.
REINING
The day ended in dramatic fashion in the Western arena, with the meet coming down to the final few rides. Freshman Olivia Cardi got the points started with her 72.75-72.5 win over Gracie Casebolt, followed by Chloe Stephenson’s 73.75-72.75 defeat over Mattie Gustin. The Aggies took the next point, but Haley Turner’s 72.25-66.75 win over Isabelle Gonzales sealed the deal for the Gamecocks with their 11th total point. Stephenson picked up the second MOP of the day for South Carolina, her first of the season.
UP NEXT
The Gamecocks will hit the road for the first time in the spring slate, taking on Auburn at Noon on Saturday, Feb. 15.
