Gamecock Equestrian Team honored at SC Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet

The South Carolina equestrian team was honored May 18th at the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet for the team’s past accomplishments and championship history. Sponsors of the event included the Town of Blythewood, S.C. Horseman’s Council and past S.C. Athletic Hall of Fame Presidents Pete DiVenere and Sonny Dickinson. Dickinson currently serves as Assistant Director of Marketing with the S.C. Department of Agriculture.

At the banquet eight South Carolinians were inducted into the SC Hall of Fame – including three that spent their collegiate careers at the University of South Carolina. The Gamecock equestrian team under Coach Boo Major was also present to receive a special recognition for outstanding excellence in athletic and scholastic endeavors.

Coach Major said, “I am honored for this recognition by the South Carolina Hall of Fame Selection Committee and for the sponsorship of the U.S.C. Equestrian Team by the Town of Blythewood, the S.C. Horsemen’s Council, and past Athletic Hall of Fame presidents. In addition, we greatly appreciate the S.C. Department of Agriculture for continued support of the team and the equine industry in the state.”

Under the direction of Coach Major, South Carolina has become a premier program in collegiate equestrian. With the advent of the Varsity Equestrian National Championships six years ago, the Gamecocks won overall national championships in 2005 and 2007, and the Hunter Seat team won three consecutive national championships from 2005 to 2007. In addition, two Gamecocks earned individual national championships in Tara Brothers (2004) and Kristen Terebesi (2008).

Also, in the five years since equestrian has been included in the SEC Spring Sports Honor Roll listings, Coach Major has placed 76 student-athletes on the list.