South Carolina Wins NCEA Championship

No. 3 South Carolina upset No. 1 Georgia, 10-6, on Saturday to win the National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) National Championship. It marks the Gamecocks’ third national title in program history, and South Carolina finishes the 2014-15 season with a 12-5 record.

The Gamecocks defeated United Equestrian Conference champion Fresno State, Big 12 Champion Baylor, and SEC Champion Georgia in a span of 36 hours to win this year’s championship

“What an outstanding day, words don’t begin to describe how proud I am of this team,” South Carolina head coach Boo Major said. “I have to give all of the credit to the girls because they came to Texas with the goal of winning a national title, and they did every single thing they needed to do to make it happen. Hats off to Georgia on a great season and for their SEC Championship, I thought they rode well all weekend. This is a great moment for our program, and to send our seniors off with four championship rings, that’s quite an accomplishment. I’m very grateful to have the support of Dr. Pastides and coach Tanner who are tremendous supporters of our student-athletes and our equestrian program. We’re excited to bring the trophy back to Columbia and share it with all of our Gamecock fans.”

In the first event of Saturday’s championship, the Gamecocks and Bulldogs won two points apiece in equitation on the flat. Georgia took a 1-0 lead after winning the first point of the meet, marking the one and only time the Bulldogs held the lead in the championship. Seniors Adele Norton and Amber Henter made the most of their final competition as Gamecocks, winning back-to-back points to give Carolina a 2-1 lead. Henter knocked off Leylan Gleeson, 177-168, while Norton followed with a 165-134 win over Liza Finsness.

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