Texas A&M
South Carolina
Equestrian Falls at South Carolina
Oct 31, 2014 | Equestrian
BLYTHEWOOD, South Carolina – The No. 9 Texas A&M Equestrian Team fell to No.3 South Carolina, 8-12, in Blythewood, South Carolina. The Aggies fall to an even 2-2 on the season and 0-1 in SEC play.
The day began with the Reining competition. The Gamecocks jumped to an early 1-0 lead after South Carolina's Layla Choate edged senior Ashley Dotson 72.5-70.5. It did not scare the Aggies on this Halloween, however, as three of the next four A&M riders went on to score a point. junior Logan Pluhar won 71.5-68.5, senior Laura Sumrall won 69-68.5, and the event's MOP, junior Hannah Jechow, won her point 71-64.5. Reining fell in favor of Texas A&M, 3-2.
The Hunter Seat competition began with Equitation over Fences. The Gamecocks took all but one point in the event, winning 4-1. Freshman Alex Desiderio earned the lone Aggie point when she defeated USC's Sydney Smith 86-82. Senior Leah Chennelle was almost able to take her point for A&M but was narrowly defeated 80-79. Sophomore Haley Webster also provided a solid ride, scoring an 80, but it was no match for MOP Katherine Schmidt of South Carolina's 93. After two events, the Gamecocks led the overall score, 6-4.
The Aggies cut the Gamecocks' lead to just one point after the Horsemanship competition, which the Aggies took 3-2. Logan Pluhar got it started for the aggies, winning her point in dominating fashion, 73-67.5. Both Molli Jacobs and Kaci Fisher beat their opponent 74.5-74 to give A&M the 3-2 win.
Through three events, the score was in South Carolina's favor, 8-7. The Aggies had to take the win in Equitation on the Flat, the event's final competition, in order to win the overall score. Senior Haley Buchmiller, earning an 82, gave A&M a promising start and the early 1-0 lead, but it would not last long. The next four South Carolina riders each earned their point, giving them the 4-1 win.
Head Coach Tana McKay was optimistic about her team's performance: “From a year ago to today, I think our riders have become much more consistent. We were able to go into enemy territory and lay down some solid rides.”
The Texas A&M Equestrian team will resume regular season action on Friday, November 7 in Auburn, Alabama to take on the Tigers.
To learn more about the team, log onto 12thman.com or follow @AggieEquestrian on Twitter
Players Mentioned
