Gamecock Equestrian to Open Season with Top-Five Matchup

BLYTHEWOOD, SC – The No. 4 South Carolina Equestrian team will open up the season on Friday, taking on No. 2 SMU at home at One Wood Farm.

2024-25 RECAP

The Gamecocks come off a championship 2024-25 season, finishing 9-6 overall with an SEC Tournament Title and an appearance in the NCEA semifinals. The Gamecocks took down seven top-10 ranked teams along the way, including No. 1 Auburn in the SEC semifinals to make it to the championship meet against No. 4 Texas A&M. South Carolina then continued its streak, defeating No. 3 TCU in a monster 13-6 win in the opening round of the NCEA Championship.

Five Gamecocks were named NCEA Ariat All-Americans, including Natalie Jayne (First Team, Flat), Amira Kettaneh (Second Team, Flat & Fences), Mary Hunter Millet (Second Team, Flat), Sophie Mitchell (Hon. Mention, Flat), and Haley Turner (Hon. Mention, Reining). Kettaneh (Flat) and Olivia Cardi (Reining) were named SEC Freshman Rider of the Year for their respective discipline, while Jayne, Kettaneh, and Turner each picked up All-SEC honors.

Four newcomers were named to the SEC All-Freshman Team, with Alyssa Bauer and Kettaneh receiving the nod for Fences, and Opal Fomish, along with Cardi, picking up honors for Reining. Mya Pinski was named to the SEC Community Service Team.

SCOUTING THE MUSTANGS

South Carolina will face SMU after most recently competing against the Mustangs in the finale of the 2024-25 season. The pair faced off in the semifinals of the NCEA Championship, with SMU taking things 15-5. Returners Mary Hunter Millet, Natalie Jayne, Carly Jenkins, and Sarah Rabb all earned points for the Gamecocks.

FAN INFO

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