Eight Gamecock Equestrian Athletes Receive SEC Honors
Birmingham, Ala. – Eight South Carolina equestrian riders received Southeastern Conference honors, the SEC announced Tuesday. Three Gamecocks claimed All-SEC distinction, four Gamecocks received All-Freshman honors and one was named to the community service team.
“I’m pleased to see our student athletes receiving well deserved recognition,” said head coach Boo Major. “Our freshmen starters have been outstanding in their first year of competition. I’m most excited that all these young ladies will be returning next year.”
On the flat, senior Trinity Hammerschmidt led the Gamecocks with a 10-4-0 record and a 5-1-0 regular season record against SEC opponents to notch her place on the All-SEC Flat team. She went a perfect 4-0-0 in October to sweep Rider of the Month honors on the flat, receiving the recognition from both the NCEA and SEC. She scored a season high of 86.5 in the home upset over then-No. 4 Georgia which marked her third MOP this season and her only one received at home. To cap off her season, she was named to the All-America Second Team on the flat and was the only Gamecock to receive the distinction.
Sophomore Maya Clarkson was also named to the All-SEC Flat team after a stellar spring season. She began competing in February and went on to build a 5-0-0 record on the flat which included a 3-0-0 record against SEC opponents. She finished the season 6-2-0 and earned the second-highest season score on the Gamecock squad with an 88 at home. Clarkson was named the SEC Rider of the Month on the flat in February after she went 4-0-0 that month and continued to score higher in each meet. Additionally, she earned the lone point for South Carolina on the flat in the SEC semifinal against Texas A&M with a 228.5.
In Western, sophomore Emma Lane earned All-SEC distinction in reining. She wrapped up the season with a 7-3-3 record which included a 4-2-0 performance against SEC opponents in the regular season. She was the SEC Co-Rider of the Month in October for the combination of her 3-0-1 record, her season-high score of 73.5 against Texas A&M and her MOP honor. Lane went 2-0-0 at the SEC Championships and was named to the SEC All-Championship Team for her rides.
Freshman Sophie Mitchell received two conference nods, making both the All-Freshman Flat team and the All-Freshmen Fences team. She boasted a 7-6-1 overall record with a 3-3-1 showing on the flat and a 4-3-0 showing in fences. She notched at least one point in each discipline against SEC opponents in the regular season and went 2-0-0 in fences in the SEC Championships. On the flat, she scored as high as an 88 to tie the second best score this season and she scored 80 three times in fences.
Two Gamecocks made the All-Freshman Horsemanship team in Kendalynne Herlocker and Tierney Horton. Herlocker finished the season 3-4-1 with two wins occurring at the SEC Championships. She notably scored a 74.5 at home against Auburn and a 73.5 on the road at Baylor. Horton finished the season 2-5-1 with top scores of 74.5 at Auburn and 72.5 at home to help the Gamecocks to a point in the upset over Georgia. She also went 1-1-0 in the SEC Championships.
Rounding out the All-Freshman selections is Chloe VanStone who earned the honor in reining. With a 2-3-0 record against SEC opponents in the regular season, she notably won on the road at Texas A&M with a 68 to earn her second win of the season. VanStone also earned an MOP in the home meet against Auburn in which she scored a season-high of 72.5.
Outside of riding, senior Michaela Schrim was selected to the SEC Community Service Team.
“Michaela gave more than 110 percent this year with her steadfast commitment to community service in the greater Columbia area,” said head coach Boo Major. “I’m so proud of her efforts and her dedication to helping others.”
Schrim gave 114 hours of community service this year and helped throughout the Columbia community. She spent most of her time with Meals on Wheels to pack meals for those in the area who were unable to secure food for themselves. The senior loved helping the organization and built countless connections with those in the community that she served. Additionally, Schrim took part in Families Helping Families to purchase gifts for a local family during the holidays. She also volunteered at the Humane Society and at the Range Fore Hope Golf Outing for Veterans. As a rider, Schrim finished the season 2-3-1 with two MOPs and never scored below a 74. She also earned the program season best score of 76.5 at Texas A&M.
All-SEC (Equitation Over Fences)
Ava Stearns, Auburn
Ellie Ferrigno, Auburn
Hayley Mairano, Georgia
Jordan Toering, Georgia
Emma Kurtz, Auburn
All-SEC (Equitation on the Flat)
Ava Stearns, Auburn
Ellie Ferrigno, Auburn
Trinity Hammerschmidt, South Carolina
Jordan Toering, Georgia
Maya Clarkson, South Carolina
Emma Kurtz, Auburn
Caroline Dance, Texas A&M
All-SEC (Horsemanship)
Taylor Searles, Auburn
MacKenzie Chapman, Texas A&M
Olivia Tordoff, Auburn
Jillian Stopperich, Georgia
Madison Parduhn, Auburn
Sara Lewis, Georgia
Hayley Riddle, Texas A&M
Hanna Olaussen, Texas A&M
All-SEC (Reining)
Taylor Searles, Auburn
Jax Bound, Georgia
Caitlin Lyons, Georgia
Emma Lane, South Carolina
Emmy-Lu Marsh, Texas A&M
Lisa Bricker, Texas A&M
All-Freshman (Fences)
Brooke Brombach, Texas A&M
Sophee Steckbeck, Auburn
Catalina Peralta, Georgia
Sophie Mitchell, South Carolina
All-Freshman (Flat)
Sophee Steckbeck, Auburn
Sophie Mitchell, South Carolina
All-Freshman (Horsemanship)
Kendalynne Herlocker, South Carolina
Jillian Stopperich, Georgia
Tierney Horton, South Carolina
Hanna Olaussen, Texas A&M
All-Freshman (Reining)
Jax Bound, Georgia
Chloe VanStone, South Carolina
Isabella Hehr, Georgia
Community Service Team
Hannah Lemel, Auburn
Katie Ray, Georgia
Michaela Schrim, South Carolina
Caroline Dance, Texas A&M
