Gamecock Equestrian Ranked #8 Heading Into Season Opener

COLUMBIA, SC – The No. 8 South Carolina Equestrian team is ready to open the 2023-24 season at home this Friday, taking on No. 9 UC Davis at 1:00 p.m. at One Wood Farm. The meet will be just the second between the two teams, and the first at home. Live stats for Friday’s meet can be found here.

The Gamecocks had a year of records and firsts last season, ending ranked No. 7 in the country and making it to the NCEA Championships for the first time since 2019. South Carolina got off to their best start in the fall since the 2013-14 season, and defeated three top-10 ranked teams in the process (No. 10 UT-Martin, No. 7 Baylor, and No. 3 Georgia). The program also hosted the 2023 SEC Championships, with senior Madeline Schaefer (Fences) and sophomore Haley Turner (Reining) being named to the All-SEC Championship team after going undefeated throughout the weekend against Auburn and Georgia.

Seven Gamecocks were recognized with All-SEC honors, including Natalie Jayne who was named the SEC Freshman Fences Rider of the Year in addition to the All-Freshman Team. Trinity Hammerschmidt (Flat) and Emma Lane (Reining) were selected as All-SEC members, and Mary Hunter Millet (Flat), Alyssa Jipping (Horsemanship), and Carly Jenkins (Horsemanship) were named to the All-Freshman Team. Emilia Reutimann was also named to the SEC Community Service Team.

South Carolina Equestrian saw two of its riders earn 2022-23 Aritat All-America Team honors, with Trinity Hammerschmidt receiving Second Team for her performance on the flat, and Jordan Allen receiving an Honorable Mention nod for fences.