One of USC Aiken's newest athletic endeavors was the center of attention Oct. 25 at Bruce's Field, amid a celebration of equestrian excellence.
The Mane Event, a gathering largely arranged by philanthropist and equestrian Jack Wetzel, featured a salute to the university's equestrian program, which now has a national championship to its credit and had most of its athletes in attendance along with more than 100 visitors representing the university and the community at large.
"The university finally has an equestrian division. … It's really an honor to have these girls represent us," Wetzel said. "This town needs a university that really cares about equestrians, and we've finally got them and they've done us proud."
The eventing team bagged a national title this year on the strength of efforts by Wesley Ann Norton, Alexa Duncan, Sydney Shinn, Maggie Knotts, Heidi Gyselinck and Carson Langenberg. Joining them in the spotlight were new team members Jillian Treu, Sophia Brady-Owen, Kaitlyn Ingraham, Sam Keats and Lorna Mathais.
Among the surprises in the Bruce's Field gathering was the unveiling of a highway sign — green with white letters — proclaiming USCA's championship status in 2023 in the U.S. Eventing Association. The sign's location for placement is to be decided in the weeks ahead. Plans are for the sign to remain in place for a year and then be given to USCA to keep.
Milestones also included participation in the U.S. Polo and Intercollegiate Horse Show Association’s national championships. Representing the polo program were Parker Scott, the coach, and players Shona Adams, Summer Kneece, Brianna Jordan and Kaylin Bender.
Representing the IHSA program were Molly McLaughlin, the coach (a USCA graduate), Hudson Kane, Taylor Ingraham, Kaitlyn Ingraham and Abigail Sigwald. Highlights from 2022 included McClaughlin winning first place in the intermediate hunter seat equitation competition and Anne Russo placing in limit individual jumping.
Wetzel, in helping introduce the eventing team, shared some thoughts on the occasion's meaning. "We've got some gals here that made us very, very proud, and they've got a long ways to go, still. … They'll probably, maybe some day, get a gold medal," he said. "Wouldn't that be something?"
Daniel Heimmermann, USCA's chancellor, described the gathering as part of an effort "not only to celebrate the triumphs, but also to honor the spirit of hard work, resilience and unity that defines USC Aiken's equestrian teams."
Achievements from the past couple of years, he said, "elevate the name of USC Aiken on a national platform and serve as a beacon of what we can accomplish when we come together in the pursuit of greatness."
The evening also included an invitation for participants to help keep the equestrian program afloat and successful. Wesley Brown, the university's major gift officer, noted that the university's equestrian team has club status, meaning that it is not eligible for NCAA funding and depends on private donations.
"We are already off to a great start," he said, adding that donations in advance of The Mane Event totaled more than $35,000.
Heimmermann noted, "These student athletes are defeating Division I teams who are much larger and better resourced, and while they have demonstrated that they have what it takes to win on the field, we must demonstrate as a community why these men and women should continue to choose Aiken for their education and home."
Brown said that the equestrian program draws students from coast to coast, and their cumulative grade-point average is above 3.0 on a four-point scale. "States currently represented include California, Connecticut, Georgia, New Jersey, South Carolina and Texas."
Joining Wetzel as major backers of The Mane Event were such neighbors as Liz Stewart, Billie Murphy, Aiken Audiology, Thomas Ravenel, Rose Lee Hayes, USCA, Ann E. Perryman, Oak Manor Saddlery, Aiken County Farm Supply, Sterling Thompson Equine, The Golf Cart LadyIngraham Equine Podiatry, Sharer Dale (real estate) and an anonymous donor “in memory of Annie Goodwin.”
