A near-upset against No. 1-seeded South Carolina on Friday ended TCU equestrian’s hopes for an NCEA title, as the Horned Frogs closed the season with a 7-9 overall record.

The Frogs trailed 7-2 halfway into the competition, but rocketed back with four consecutive wins to bring the score to 7-6. USC clinched wins in two more events to solidify their victory with a final score of 9-7. 

“We couldn’t be more proud of our team today,” TCU Director of EquestrianHaley Schoolfield said in a press release. “We were down after the first event, but our team never quit and we held on till the very end.” 

TCU shined in Horsemanship, dominating the Gamecocks 3-1. Junior Calli Rouse defeated two-time SEC Horsemanship Rider of the Year and multiple All-America honoree Johnna Letchworth 144.5-140. 

The Frogs finished as the No. 9 seed with a 3-3 conference record.

“If we start next season as strong as we finished, we will be a top contender,” Schoolfield said.