USC Equestrian’s Abigail Pait and Bailey Walters Named to SEC All-Championship Team

COLUMBIA, S.C. – University of South Carolina senior Abigail Pait (Aiken, S.C.) and sophomore Bailey Walters (Bourbon, Ind.) combined to sweep both western team selections on this year’s SEC All-Championship Team, it was announced over the weekend. Pait was chosen as the horsemanship rider on this year’s SEC All-Championship Team, while Walters was chosen as the reining selection.

Pait and Walters are the first Gamecock western riders in program history to earn a spot on the SEC All-Championship Team.

The SEC All-Championship Team is made up of one rider per event (equitation on the flat, equitation over fences, horsemanship, reining) and the selections are voted on by each of the four SEC equestrian head coaches.

Pait went 2-0 over the weekend at the SEC Championship. In Friday’s semifinal meet against No. 1 Auburn, she defeated her opponent, 149.5-142.5, and was named Most Outstanding Performer. In Saturday’s 11-8 win over No. 4 Texas A&M, Pait finished her 2-for-2 weekend with a 144.5-143 victory.

Walters also went 2-0 over the weekend at the SEC Championship. In Friday’s semifinal meet against the top-ranked Tigers, she beat her opponent, 141-131, and was named Most Outstanding Performer. In Saturday’s upset victory over the Aggies, she earned M.O.P. honors for the second time at the championship and for the third meet in a row, as she won her point, 140-138.5.

Gamecocks on the SEC All-Championship Team (all-time)
• 2016 – Abigail Pait (horsemanship)
• 2016 – Bailey Walters (reining)
• 2014 – Katherine Schmidt (equitation over fences)
• 2013 – Katherine Schmidt (equitation on the flat)
• 2013 – Kimberly McCormack (equitation over fences)