The South Carolina Equestrian team, seeded fourth, is set to face fifth-seeded SMU in the first round of the 2026 NCEA National Championship on April 16, starting at 8:30 a.m. (ET) and will be streamed on ESPN+. Head coach Carol Gwin expresses confidence in the team's talent and readiness for competition, following a regular season where they clinched five First-Team All-American honors. The Gamecocks aim to bounce back from an SEC semifinal loss to Georgia, where they fell 11-9. Their previous encounters with SMU this season resulted in a win and a loss, making this a critical match for both teams. Fans can follow live updates during the meet on social media platforms.

By the Numbers
  • South Carolina finished the regular season with a record of 10-5 (3-3 SEC).
  • SMU holds a season record of 5-5, winning their last match 13-4 against Oklahoma State.
State of Play
  • South Carolina is coming off a close SEC semifinal loss to Georgia.
  • The Gamecocks have previously met SMU twice this season, winning one and losing the other.
What's Next

If the Gamecocks win against SMU, they will advance further in the NCEA Championship, continuing their pursuit of a national title. This matchup could be pivotal in building momentum moving forward.

Bottom Line

The Gamecocks need a strong performance against SMU to regain confidence and capitalize on their talent in the championship. This match is crucial for their aspirations of competing at a high level throughout the tournament.