South Carolina Topped by Texas A&M in Close Decision

Bryan-College Station, Texas – The Gamecocks suffered a tight 10-9 loss to No. 2 Texas A&M on Saturday. Senior Caroline Bald and junior Jordan Allen swept M.O.P. honors in jumping seat in the loss.

In fences, two Gamecocks notched the first points of the meet. Allen rode to an 86 on Nickel to put South Carolina on the board. Sophomore Alexa Aureliano also secured a point with an 87 on Chapman which was the second highest score of the day in the event. Allen’s 86 was the second highest score in the event for South Carolina as she secured her first M.O.P. honor this season. At the close of fences, Texas A&M led 3-2.

Senior Michaela Schrim held the Aggies off from earning all five points in horsemanship. Her score of 76.5 was tied by her opponent and was the highest score for the Gamecocks in the event. At the half, the Aggies led 7-2.

South Carolina had its best performance of the day on the flat. The Gamecocks swept the event 5-0 thanks to an 81 from Alice Kass, an 89 from Bald, an 85.5 from Trinity Hammerschmidt, a 76.5 from Madeline Schaefer and an 80.5 from Maya Clarkson. Bald’s score was the highest of the day in the event and led to her M.O.P. honor and marked her personal best in the event. The combined effort from South Carolina tied things up at 7-7 with one event remaining .

In reining, Chloe Stephenson earned the next point for the Gamecocks with a 72.5 on Uvalde, the top score for South Carolina. Freshman Chloe VanStone continued her winning streak and notably scored the final point for South Carolina with a 68. Texas A&M took reining 3-2, brining the final score to Texas A&M 10, South Carolina 9.

The Gamecocks will return to One Wood Farm for their final SEC regular-season meet against Georgia on Saturday, Feb. 26. The Senior Day meet will take place at 1 p.m.