No. 2 Equestrian to Open Up Regular Season with Double Header

BLYTHEWOOD, SC – The No. 2 South Carolina Equestrian team officially opens up the regular season this week, taking on No. 5 SMU (Oct. 1) and No. 6 TCU (Oct. 2) at One Wood Farm.

The Gamecocks will face off against SMU on Thursday, Oct. 1 beginning at 10:00 a.m. Following the conclusion of the meet, the first half of the neutral meet between SMU and TCU will take place. On Saturday, Oct. 2, the second half of SMU vs. TCU will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by South Carolina’s meet against TCU at approximately 12:25 p.m.

The Gamecocks head into the 2026-27 campaign as the reigning NCEA National Champions, taking home the program’s fourth title earlier this spring after taking down SEC foe Texas A&M (April 18). Head Coach Carol Gwin was named the NCEA Dual Discipline Coach of the Year, alongside TR Potts, who earned the NCEA Western Coach of the Year nod. Eight Gamecocks were named NCEA All-Americans, three received SEC Rider of the Year honors, and junior Alexis Potts was named the NCEA Horsemanship Rider of the Year, the first in program history.

SCOUTING THE MUSTANGS

South Carolina will face SMU after most recently competing against the Mustangs in the NCEA National Championship Quarterfinal, with South Carolina earning the victory 11-8. Returners Amira Kettaneh, Grace Rabb, Emily Patton and Vanessa McLaughley all picked up points for the Gamecocks. SMU returns several experienced riders from last season, including Reining standout Madison Rafacz, who earned First-Team All-America honors in 2025-26.

Thursday’s meet will be SMU’s first competition of the 2026-27 season.

SCOUTING THE HORNED FROGS

The Gamecocks take on TCU for the first time since their 14-5 upset victory against the No. 3-ranked Horned Frogs in the 2025 NCEA National Championship Quarterfinals. South Carolina swept both Fences and Flat to advance to the semifinals. TCU grabbed a win over South Dakota State in their season opener, 16-2. The margin of victory was the largest for the Horned Frogs since a 16-1 victory over Fresno State on November 3, 2022, at home.

FAN INFORMATION

Admittance to One Wood Farm is free for all fans. Fans are encouraged to check out the Know Before You Go page, and can follow along with in-meet updates on X and Instagram at @GamecockEQ.