Jan. 29, 2015
AUBURN LIVE SCORING | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVE SCORING
DALLAS - The SMU equestrian team begins the second half of the 2014-15 season with a pair of road meets starting Friday. The fifth-ranked Mustangs travel to No. 4 Auburn on Friday for a 3 p.m. meet at the Auburn University Horse Center. The Ponies follow with a 10 a.m. meet on Saturday at No. 3 South Carolina at OneWood Farm.
"This weekend is going to be the biggest challenge we have faced as a team," head coach Carol Gwin said. "Both Auburn and South Carolina are established and excellent programs. They have great coaches and this is going to be a real test for us. Our girls will get to see where we matchup with historically strong teams.
"It is going to be a long trip so we will really have to bring it mentally and physically."
The meet against at South Carolina will be a homecoming for Gwin. The first-year head coach was previously an assistant with the Gamecocks for four seasons. During her time in Columbia, the team won back-to-back SEC Championships.
"I've stayed in touch with a lot of the people I got to know during my time at South Carolina," Gwin said. "However, I am very excited to go there with my own team. It should be a competitive but friendly weekend."
SMU ended the fall semester 4-3 overall and 2-2 in the NCEA United conference. Its last meet was on Nov. 1 when the Mustangs defeated New Mexico State, 9-7, in Brookings, South Dakota. Since then, SMU has been on hiatus until the spring semester resumed in January.
"We are only two weeks into practice this semester," Gwin said. "I am very proud of how much the girls have dedicated themselves during that time. November was a long time ago, but they came ready to work. Luckily, we have had some good weather to take advantage of. I feel like we are getting ahead of the curve, which is very comforting. We strive to keep improving and I love that kind of enthusiasm."
After the pair of meets this weekend, the Mustangs turn around with a visit to in-state rival TCU on Friday, Feb. 6. SMU will then have until March 1 for its first home meet at the Sleepy P Ranch against South Dakota State.
