No. 2 Gamecocks Defeat No. 5 Mustangs
BLYTHEWOOD, SC – The No. 2 South Carolina Equestrian team (1-0) took on the No. 5 SMU Mustangs (0-1) Thursday morning at One Wood Farm, taking home the 10-9 win following a tight competition.
“Great to come out with a win at our home dual-discipline home opener”, head coach Carol Gwin said. “We did have some mistakes that hopefully we can clean up against TCU tomorrow, but we’re ready to be back in action against another ranked opponent.”
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Gamecocks started the day in Fences, falling short 3-2. Amira Kettaneh and McKayla Brombach earned the two points for Carolina. Kettaneh took her point 77.5-75 on Rio, while Brombach scored a season and career high 81.5 on Dylan to top Aedan Mooney’s 66.5.
The Gamecocks tied the Mustangs in Horsemanship 2-2. Lillian Laney brought in the first point for Carolina on Dill Pickle, scoring a 67.5 to top a Mustang 66.25. Alyssa Kladny made her Gamecock debut on Brad, scoring a 70.75 and winning her point over a 0. On Kinzie, Jordyn Humbert and Jayna Lagace tied at 76.25, leading to no point being awarded.
The second half got started with Reining, with South Carolina falling in a tight battle, 2-3. The two points came from Emily Patton and Olivia Cardi. Patton rode Thor, scored a 71.75 and earned the event’s MOP honor with her win over a 67. Cardi followed shortly after on George, scoring a 69.5 to beat a 69. Emma Zgrebnack also made her Gamecock debut in reining on Cooper.
Carolina’s most dominant performance of the day came as they took Flat 4-1. The last rider of the event also determined the fate of the meet. Vanessa Mc Caughley led off riding Dento and scored a 70.5 to top a 67. Amira Kettenah then followed with a strong 81.5 on Nino, which earned her the event’s MOP award. Grace Rabb then brought in a 77.5 riding Schnitzel to defeat a 68. The final point of the day came from Sarah Rabb on Fenway, scoring a 75.5 against a 74.5 to give the Gamecocks the win.
UP NEXT
South Carolina will take on TCU for their second meet this week on Friday, Oct. 2, beginning at approximately 12:25 at One Wood Farm.
