May 16, 2011

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina equestrian coach Boo Major has announced the signing of Samantha Chiodo to a national letter of intent to join the Gamecocks for the 2011-2012 season. Chiodo will be competing with South Carolina’s Western team in Horsemanship.

“Sam comes to us with a great western background excelling in horsemanship,” Major said. “She has all the equestrian, academic and leadership skills to have a real impact on our team as a freshman.”

A gifted rider, Chiodo trains with Beckey Schooler. Under Schooler’s guidance, Chiodo has won multiple championships at AQHA Congress. Some of her youth highlights include:

2010
– AQHA Congress Champion – Showmanship
– AQHA Congress Champion NYATT – Showmanship
– AQHYA World Show 7th Place – Equitation

2009
– MQHYA Outstanding Leadership Award
– AQHYA World Show 6th Place – Hunter Under Saddle
– AQHA Congress Champion – Hunter Under Saddle

2008
– AQHA Reserver Congress Champion – Hunter Under Saddle
– AQHYA World Champion – Hunter Under Saddle

2007
– AQHA Congress Champion – Horsemanship

A senior at Mount Pleasant High School in Mount Pleasant, Mich., Chiodo competed in four sports – equestrian, cross country, track & field, and soccer. She is currently president of the Michigan Quarter Horse Youth Association. She is the daughter of Donald and Kimberley Chiodo, and she has a 14 year old sister named Bailey. Chiodo plans to major in Business in the Darla Moore School of Business at South Carolina, which has been ranked No. 1 or No. 2 for 20 consecutive years by the U.S. News and World Report.