COLUMBIA, S.C. — How's this for a resume: the first University of South Carolina head coach to win back-to-back SEC Championships and the first USC coach to win three national championships just a year, later in 2015.
No, this is not women's basketball or Gamecock football we're talking about. This is USC's Equestrian Team led by the legendary Boo Major.
After 26 seasons at the helm, Major announced her retirement at USC on Thursday, April 25.
In a statement to the media, Major wrote:
“I have mixed emotions about retiring. On one hand I’m excited to do some things I have put off for 26 years. On the other hand, I am sad to be stepping back from a job that taught me so much about myself and others. I will miss the student-athletes the most and watching them develop during their time in college. It has been so rewarding. I hope to continue to help the equestrian program through fundraising and any ‘behind the scenes’ they’ll let me do. I am so appreciative of our wonderful staff (past and present) who have done amazing things over the years. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this program. It will be bright! As always, thanks to Ray Tanner, Eric Hyman and Mike McGee for giving me this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. What a ride!”
Over the course of her career, Major promoted equestrian as a sport at South Carolina, other colleges and universities, the horse industry, and the community on a local and national level. USC was the first Division 1 school in the nation to declare equestrian as varsity sport. Today there are 20 NCAA I, 2 NCAA II, and 15 NCAA III equestrian teams in the United States.
USC Athletic Director Ray Tanner said, “Boo Major is truly a great Gamecock and exemplifies the spirit of the Garnet and Black. She has a passion and love for Carolina, a desire to win in the arena and a commitment to use intercollegiate athletics to develop young women into champions. I congratulate Coach Major on a fantastic career and wish her the best in retirement.”
Major's career includes coaching over 300 letter winners, 30 riders named National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) All-Americans a combined 53 times, 30 SEC All-Team selections, five SEC Rider of the Years, and an NCEA Rider of the Year in 2020.
She led South Carolina to three NCEA Overall Championships (2005, 2007, 2015), three consecutive NCEA Hunter Seat National Championships (2005, 2006, 2007), one Southern Equestrian Championship (2012), and two SEC Championships (2013,2014). She is a two-time SEC Coach of the Year winner and was named National Coach of the Year by the NCEA in 2014 and 2015.
Major became the first University of South Carolina head coach to win back-to-back SEC Championships in March 2014 and became the first USC coach to win three national championships just a year later in 2015.
A Columbia native, Major is a 1981 graduate of the University of South Carolina and received her Master's degree from USC in 1990. She is a member of the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA), United States Eventing Association, and the South Carolina Coaches Association and is a Technical Delegate and “r” Eventing Judge with USEF.