A concurrent RESOLUTION

 

to recognize and honor the University of South Carolina Aiken eventing team members for an extraordinary season and to congratulate them for capturing the university's first national championship in any sport.

 

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly is pleased to learn that the members of the University of South Carolina Aiken (USC Aiken) eventing team took top honors at the 2023 United States Eventing Association Intercollegiate Championship in May in Mill Spring, North Carolina, where five members of USC Aiken's eventing team faced off against much larger schools, some with teams of nearly forty competitors; and

 

Whereas, to the delight of their faithful followers, the USC Aiken Pacers defeated a fine, competitive field of comers, after remaining neck and neck with Auburn University during the competition weekend, eventually winning the championship with a total score of 89.709.  A new banner celebrating their victory in eventing, known in other circles as equestrian, is on display in USC Aiken's Student Activity Center; and

 

Whereas, with only five of their riders on the field, USC Aiken was one of the smallest schools on the field.  The team members were very fast and did not have any penalties during the competition, and even during heavy rainfall on the final day of competition, USC Aiken team members rode strong, horse and rider, performing at their best; and

 

Whereas, the eventing team members include Sam Keats, Maggie Knotts, not at the competition; team vice president Heidi Gyselinck; team president Carson Langenberg, with a score of 33.155; Alexa Duncan, with a score of 34.254; Sydney Shinn, with a score of 23.290; and Wesley Anne Norton; and

 

Whereas, next year and the year after, there will be a home-field advantage for the team as the 2024 and 2025 USEA's Intercollegiate Championship of eventing will be held in Aiken; and

 

Whereas, in a field that demands the discipline and physical control of a large animal, eventing team president Carson Langenberg and team vice president Heidi Gyselinck maximized their own equestrian experience and passion to forge a championship-caliber team and help one another learn invaluable life lessons; and

 

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly values the pride and recognition that the USC Aiken eventing team members have brought to their school, their community, and the Palmetto State, and the members look forward to following their continued accomplishments in the days ahead.  Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

 

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize and honor the University of South Carolina Aiken eventing team members for an extraordinary season and congratulate them for capturing the university's first national championship in any sport.

 

Be it further resolved that the copy of this resolution be presented to eventing team President Carson Langenberg.

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