NCEA Championship to Open Thursday Morning

OCALA, FL – The fifth-seeded Gamecock Equestrian team (8-5) is set to take on fourth-seed TCU (10-5) in the first round of the NCEA Championship on Thursday in the hunt for its fourth national title. The meet will begin bright and early at 8:30 a.m. (ET), and be streamed on ClipMyHorse.TV in addition to ESPN3.

LAST TIME OUT

South Carolina heads into NCEAs fresh off an SEC Championship, taking down Texas A&M 11-8 (March 30) to take home the crown. The Gamecocks swept the All-Tournament Team selections (Amira Kettaneh, Natalie Jayne, Carly Jenkins, and Chloe VanStone), as well as all four available MOPs on the day.

The title was the third in program history, 11 years to the day. It also marked the first for head coach Carol Gwin, where she became the first coach in South Carolina history to win an SEC Championship in their first year at the helm.

Seven Gamecocks were named to All-SEC teams, highlighted by Amira Kettaneh (Flat) and Olivia Cardi (Reining) picking up Freshman Rider of the Year honors.

SCOUTING THE HORNED FROGS

The pair last faced off in the spring of 2024 (Feb. 9), with TCU taking the meet 12-6. All five Gamecocks who earned a point are returners this season, including Natalie Jayne who picked up an MOP on the Flat for her 78-75 victory over Laurel Smith. Jayne also took her point in Fences, along with Alexa Aureliano. Mary Hunter Millet earned a point on the Flat, followed by Mattie McNeill and Chloe VanStone grabbing two in Reining.

FAN INFO

Fans are encouraged to follow along with in meet updates on X and Instagram, @GamecockEQ.