Equestrian’s Schaefer and Vogt Earn NCEA Honors

WACO, Texas – After a strong finish the to fall a pair South Carolina equestrian riders laid claim to some National Collegiate Equestrian Association honors as sophomore Madeline Schaefer earn the Over Fences Rider of the Month award, and junior Sloane Vogt won the Reining Rider of the Month award, NCEA officials announced on Thursday. 

Schaefer posted a 2-0-0 record in November, opening the month with an 84-81 win at No. 7 Texas A&M before capping her month with an 88-79 win against No. 4 Georgia, securing the over fences M.O.P. award along the way. In just under a year of competition with the Gamecocks Schaefer has won five over fences M.O.P. awards, and a pair of NCEA over fences Rider of the Month honors after claiming the award back in February. The reining SEC Freshman Over Fences Rider of the Year finished the fall with an 85.33 scoring average. 

“Maddie has picked up where she left off from last year,” head coach Boo Major said. We are hoping to incorporate her into the flat in the spring. She has proven herself in over fences competition and we are looking for continued success from her in the spring.”

Vogt continues to develop as an all-around talent, this time shining through her reining performance and going 2-0-0 for the month. The junior started the month with a 69.5-68.5 M.O.P. winning ride at No. 7 Texas A&M, her first M.O.P. win for reining and the second western M.O.P. of her career. Vogt kept things rolling in the final meet of the fall, winning her matchup against No. 4 Georgia 70-69 to finish the fall slate with a 71.33 scoring average. 

“Sloane has really come into her own in reining,” Major added. “We are so proud of her accomplishments this semester and look forward to more things from her next semester.”

The Gamecocks finished the fall at No. 3 in the NCEA rankings. Information on the spring schedule will be announce when it’s available.