Gamecock Equestrian Set for Trip to Texas đź¤
COLUMBIA, SC – The No. 3 South Carolina Equestrian team (5-2, 1-2) are set to hit the road for Texas, taking on three top-10 in Baylor (No. 10), Texas A&M (No. 4), and SMU (No. 6) Jan. 29-31, respectively.
“I’m excited to head to Texas this week”, head coach Carol Gwin said. “It will be our first time competing three days in a row with this team, however its great preparation for post season. I think the coaches have the team prepared and we’re hoping to bring some wins.” `
LAST TIME OUT
South Carolina wrapped up the fall portion of the 2025-26 season at No. 3 Auburn, falling 13-6. Despite the loss, two Gamecocks earned new season highs, and senior Natalie Jayne picked up an MOP.
On the Flat, South Carolina saw points from power duo Amira Kettaneh and Natalie Jayne. Kettaneh earned her point 87-83 on King, while Jayne defeated Ariana Marnell with a massive 12.5 point win, 88.5-76 to pick up her first MOP of the season in the event. Jayne’s MOP was the 14th of her career (a school record), and her 38th win during her time as a Gamecock, moving her to the No. 2 spot for career Flat wins in South Carolina history.
The Tigers finished things out with a sweep in Horsemanship, 4-0. In a return to her former stomping grounds, Alexis Potts put up a massive 77.25 for the Gamecocks, tying with Auburn’s Caroline Fredenburg. It was the first tie for Fredenburg this season, and Potts remains undefeated on the year at 5-0-2. Alyssa Jipping also brought in a new season-high of 75 on Red.
The Gamecocks finished the fall with 17 MOPs, marking the most across the NCEA.
SCOUTING THE BEARS
Thursday’s meeting with No. 10 Baylor (1-5) will be the 17th in program history, and the first since the 2022-23 season. In the last matchup, the Gamecocks took an 11-8 win at home, moving the series to 9-7 overall.
Baylor heads into the meet coming off an 11-6 loss to then ranked No. 7 SMU. Jumping Seat senior Lauren Jorgensen earned her first Most Outstanding Performer award in Flat, earning a season-high score of 86.
SCOUTING THE AGGIES
South Carolina will pick back up with SEC play against No. 4 Texas A&M (3-3, 1-2), seeing them for the second time this season. In the fall, the Gamecocks defeated the Aggies in a 2025 SEC Championship rematch, 14-6. The eight-point spread marked the largest win over the Aggies in program history.
Three Gamecocks took home MOPs, with Grace Rabb (Fences) and Kenley Koch (Flat) picking up the first of their careers. Sophomore Reiner Olivia Cardi nabbed her first of the season and the third of her career.
Texas A&M comes off a 14-6 road loss against No. 7 SMU.
SCOUTING THE MUSTANGS
The Gamecocks will face SMU for the second time this season, previously defeating the then-ranked No. 2 Mustangs 10-9 at home in Blythewood to open up the season with a ranked win, and the first over SMU since 2019.
Saturday’s meet will be the 14th in program history, with the Mustangs just ahead 7-6 in the overall series.
FAN INFO
Fans can follow along with in-meet updates on X and Instagram, @GamecockEQ.
