No. 9 South Carolina Fall to No. 6 TCU

FRESNO, Calif. – No. 9 South Carolina dropped a heartbreaking 8-7 decision to No. 6 TCU on Saturday, in which both Nina Columbia and Trinity Hammerschmidt took M.O.P. honors. The meet was closely contested, with the final point deciding the result of the matchup. 
 
“To say our team is heartbroken is an understatement. We had many things that did not go our way, resulting in overall losses. Some could be helped, some could not,” said head coach Boo Major. “All we can do is learn from what we did well and what we did not do well and move on. It was a tough weekend of meets for us. We’ll regroup and gear up for SEC play in a few weeks.”
 
In the equitation on the flat, South Carolina shined as senior Trinity Hammerschmidt brought in the first point with a score of 84.5 on Santo. Hammerschmidt earned the highest score in the event to secure her first M.O.P. of the season. Sydney DeGrazia and Caroline Bald also brought in points for the Gamecocks with scores of 70 and 85, respectively. South Carolina took the equitation over fences 3-1.
 
In the horsemanship, Cora Wyers was the lone Gamecock to earn a point. She scored a 71 on Ringo and brought in the tying point to go into the half.
 
The meet continued Saturday with the equitation over fences and reining. The Gamecocks took the lead early when Nina Columbia earned a point in over fences with an 87 on Ivan, the highest score of the day. Columbia’s ride secured the first M.O.P. of her collegiate career. Alice Kass and Alexa Aureliano also earned points for South Carolina, each scoring an 83. The Gamecocks wrapped up equitation over fences 3-1, bringing the total score to South Carolina 7, TCU 5.
 
In reining, TCU was quick to tie things up after earning two points. Sophomore Emilia Reutimann scored a 70.5 on Dyson and tied her opponent and no point was awarded. Chloe Stephenson originally scored a 73 on Marvin but later did a re-ride. Stephenson then scored a 63 on Lucy, falling in her matchup to her TCU opponent. The Horned Frogs took the final point of the match and won 8-7.
 
No. 9 South Carolina will return home to practice ahead of its meet against Texas A&M on Friday, Oct. 22, at One Wood Farm.