Amber Henter Named National Rider of the Month

Dec. 12, 2012

Facebook Logo Gamecock Equestrian on Facebook

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina redshirt sophomore Amber Henter was named the national rider of the month for November by the National Collegiate Equestrian Association, it was announced today. Henter picked up the national accolade in her event, Equitation Over Fences, after going 4-0 during the month of November.

“I’m really proud of Amber and she certainly deserves all the recognition she has received this season,” South Carolina head coach Boo Major said. “She’s been a great captain and leader for our Hunt Seat team, and we’re all really excited for her.”

After starting the season winning both of her rides at home, Henter went 4-0 in November, with all four wins coming on the road. On Nov. 2, she picked up an 81-80 victory at No. 1 Georgia, helping lead the Gamecocks to a 13-7 victory over the top-ranked Bulldogs. She closed out the month of November with three wins in three days on the road over No. 4 Texas A&M (Nov. 16), No. 8 Baylor (Nov. 17), and No. 10 Southern Methodist (Nov. 18).

Henter is 6-0 for the Gamecocks this season, tying her for the team lead in wins with senior Kimberly McCormack (6-4-1), sophomore Katherine Schmidt (6-6), and freshman Sally Henry (6-2-1). Unlike McCormack, Schmidt, and Henry who all compete in both Equitation Over Fences and Equitation on the Flat, Henter has only competed in the jumping this season and has the highest winning percentage of any Gamecock who has competed at least twice this season.

Henter becomes the second Gamecock to earn national rider of the month honors, as McCormack won it in March 2012. Henter was also recently named the SEC’s Rider of the Month for November.

The other national riders of the month are Lauren Kerr (South Dakota State) in Equitation on the Flat, Maria Salazar (Georgia) in Horsemanship, and McKenzie Lantz (Georgia) in Reining.

South Carolina is currently 4-2 this season and ended the fall ranked No. 1 in the coaches poll. The Gamecocks return to action on Feb. 2 when South Carolina hosts Georgia at One Wood Farm in Blythewood.