April 8, 2013

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COLUMBIA, S.C. – Five Gamecock equestrians have been named to the National Collegiate Equestrian Association’s 2013 All-America class, it was announced today.

Redshirt junior Johnna Letchworth was named to the Second-Team NCEA All-America team, as she led the Gamecocks’ Western team in wins for the third straight season. In 2011 and 2012, Letchworth was a First-Team NCEA All-America selection.

Four other Gamecocks were named to the NCEA Honorable Mention All-America team, including sophomore Katherine Schmidt, who earned an honorable mention in both of her events – Equitation Over Fences and Equitation on the Flat. Last year, Schmidt became the first Hunt Seat rider in team history to be selected to the NCEA First-Team All-America squad.

Senior Kimberly McCormack was named to the honorable mention list in Equitation Over Fences along with redshirt sophomore Amber Henter. McCormack went 2-0 at the SEC Championships, giving her an 11-1 record in Equitation Over Fences, but the NCEA did not allow postseason statistics to count in the selection process.

In Horsemanship, sophomore Sam Chiodo was named to the Honorable Mention All-America team.

The SEC Champions return to action for the NCEA National Championships, which run April 18-20 in Waco, Texas. Live scoring for South Carolina’s competitions will be available on GamecocksOnline and live video of all the action will be available on collegiateequestrian.com

NCEA FIRST-TEAM ALL-AMERICA

Equitation Over Fences: Samantha Schaefer (Baylor), Carly Anthony (Georgia), Elizabeth Benson (Auburn), Olivia Dorey (Georgia).

Equitation on the Flat: Samantha Schaefer (Baylor), Carly Anthony (Georgia), Meredith Finch (Kansas State), Demi Stiegler (TCU).

Horsemanship: Katy Krshka (Oklahoma State), Lindsey McMullen (Oklahoma State), Maria Salazar (Georgia), Lauren Halvorson (Oklahoma State).

Reining: McKenzie Lantz (Georgia), Katy Krshka (Oklahoma State), Indy Roper (Auburn), Laura Dunlavy (South Dakota State).

NCEA SECOND-TEAM ALL-AMERICA

Equitation Over Fences: Rachel Webster (Kansas State), Alex Butterworth (Southern Methodist), Schaeffer Raposa (Southern Methodist), Courtney Line (Southern Methodist).

Equitation on the Flat: Greer Hindle (Southern Methodist), Kara Bergenty (UT Martin), Mary Abbruzzese (Southern Methodist), Caitlin Ader (TCU).

Horsemanship: Stephanie Rucci (Auburn), Johnna Letchworth (South Carolina), Hannah Ribera (Kansas State), Alexia Estrada (TCU).

Reining: Jenna Blumer (Oklahoma State), Shelbey Jackson (Baylor), Alexie Child (TCU), Kolby Simonson (TCU).

NCEA HONORABLE MENTION ALL-AMERICA

Equitation Over Fences: Katherine Schmidt (South Carolina), Allie Joyce (Oklahoma State), Amber Henter (South Carolina), Jennifer Waxman (Auburn), Emily McConnell (New Mexico State), Kali Yates (Kansas State), Andrea Robbins (Oklahoma State), Kimberly McCormack (South Carolina).

Equitation on the Flat: Christina Lin (Auburn), Allie Joyce (Oklahoma State), Lauren Kerr (South Dakota State), Macy Wilson (Fresno State), Katherine Schmidt (South Carolina).

Horsemanship: Sam Chiodo (South Carolina), Molli Jacobs (Texas A&M).

Reining: Katie Gray (Texas Christian), Kaci O’Rourke (Oklahoma State), Jessie Miller (South Dakota State).