In a thrilling matchup, the No. 8 ranked South Carolina Equestrian team faced off against the No. 7 ranked Georgia Bulldogs at home on Friday. Despite putting up a strong fight, the Gamecocks ultimately fell to the Bulldogs by a score of 10-7. Sophomore Julia Lee and junior Natalie Jayne stood out with their performances, earning Most Outstanding Performer (MOP) nods for their respective events.
The meet kicked off with Horsemanship, where South Carolina and Georgia tied with two points each. The Bulldogs initially took the lead, but the Gamecocks staged a comeback with impressive rides from Carly Jenkins and Julia Lee. Lee, who scored a career-high 76.5, secured a crucial point for South Carolina. In Fences, the Bulldogs dominated with four consecutive points, but freshman Amira Kettaneh managed to earn a point for the Gamecocks to prevent a sweep.
Despite a 6-3 deficit at the break, South Carolina fought back in Reining, with junior Mattie McNeill and senior Chloe VanStone contributing points. The Bulldogs ultimately took three points in the event. The day concluded with the Flat, where the Gamecocks showcased strong performances from senior Sophie Mitchell and junior Natalie Jayne, who both earned points for their team.
Following this close matchup, the Gamecocks will look to bounce back as they prepare to host Sweet Briar at One Wood Farm for a Jumping Seat only meet on Friday, November 15th. The final meet of the fall season promises to be an exciting one for South Carolina Equestrian fans.
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Photo credit gamecocksonline.com
