April 5, 2013

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COLUMBIA, S.C. – Sophomore Katherine Schmidt swept the NCEA’s Hunt Seat rider of the month awards for March, it was announced today. Schmidt went 5-0 in Equitation on the Flat and 5-0 in Equitation Over Fences, earning her Rider of the Month in both events.

“I’m very happy for Katherine because it takes a lot of hard work and commitment to succeed at the level she has,” South Carolina head coach Boo Major said. “She was instrumental in our Hunt Seat team’s success at SEC’s, and she was also named to the NCEA Academic First Team yesterday which is the highest academic award in our sport. She has excelled as both a student and as an athlete and she represents our team and University in a first-class manner.”

In Equitation on the Flat, Schmidt went 5-0 and was the Flat selection to the SEC All-Championship Team. After picking up a home win over Delaware State on March 1, Schmidt won her next four Flat points away from Blythewood, as she earned victories at Kansas State, at Oklahoma State, and then went defeated both Auburn and Georgia at the SEC Championships in Auburn, Ala. Schmidt is 10-4 overall in Equitation on the Flat and is South Carolina’s leader in individual wins for the second year in a row.

After going 2-0 in the Flat at the SEC Championships, Schmidt was named to the SEC All-Championship team, comprised of the top rider from each of the four events, as voted on by the SEC coaches.

In Equitation Over Fences, Schmidt went 5-0 with two MVP’s, giving her a March record of 10-0 in Hunt Seat action. Both of her MVP’s came on the road against Oklahoma State and Georgia. Schmidt picked up Over Fences victories against Delaware State, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Georgia and Auburn, as she was the only Gamecock to go 4-0 at the SEC Championships.

Schmidt becomes just the third Gamecock equestrian to earn rider of the month honors. Kimberly McCormack has twiced earned NCEA National Rider of the Month honors (March 2012, October 2012), and Hunt Seat captain Amber Henter earned the honor in November 2012.

Last week, Schmidt was named the Southeastern Conference’s Rider of the Month award in Equitation Over Fences.

NCEA Riders of the Month – March
– Equitation on the Flat – Katherine Schmidt (South Carolina)
– Equitation Over Fences – Katherine Schmidt (South Carolina)
– Horsemanship – McKenzie Lantz (Georgia)
– Reining – Lauren DeVoe (New Mexico State)