April 8, 2015

University of South Carolina senior Amber Henter was named First Team All-American for the first team in her career on Wednesday.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The University of South Carolina equestrian program had a school record four riders earn First Team All-America honors, it was announced Wednesday by the National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA). Altogether, the Gamecocks had five riders combined to earn six All-America honors.

Seniors Katherine Schmidt (equitation over fences), Amber Henter (equitation over fences), Layla Choate (reining) and Sam Chiodo (horsemanship) all earned First Team All-America selections for their regular season success this year. Schmidt (equitation on the flat) and junior Samantha Smith (equitation over fences) also earned Second Team All-America honors.

Chiodo, Henter and Choate join Schmidt and former Gamecock Johnna Letchworth as South Carolina’s only First Team All-Americans in program history.

“This is an outstanding accomplishment and something we are all very proud of,” South Carolina head coach Boo Major said. “It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to put yourself in position to be a First Team All-American, and we have four seniors who have spent their careers committing themselves to this team and helping us succeed. This is Katherine’s third time earning First Team All-America honors, but for Amber, Sam, and Layla – this is the first time for the three of them and I know it’s something that they’ve really wanted. We’re happy for them, and as seniors, we’ll be looking to them to step up as leaders for us next week at nationals.”

Schmidt, who earned her third career First Team All-America honor in equitation over fences, went 10-2-0 in the jumping this year for South Carolina during the regular season. She also added five MVPs, and went undefeated in SEC play with a 6-0 jumping record and a perfect 6-0 record on the road.

Henter, who earned First Team All-America honors for the first time in her career, also earned the nod in equitation over fences. The Gamecocks’ three-time hunt seat captain went 10-1-1 in the jumping during the regular season while adding a pair of MVPs. Henter went 6-0 on the road this season and she was undefeated in SEC play with a 5-0-1 record.

Choate, who earned First Team All-America honors for the first time in her career, led the Gamecocks’ reining team during the regular season with a 9-1 record with two MVPs. Choate went 4-0 at home this season and led the reining team with a 5-1 record during league play.

Chiodo, who earned First Team All-America honors for the first time in her career, led South Carolina’s horsemanship team with a 10-1-1 record during the regular season. Chiodo’s four MVPs led the entire western team, and the Michigan native went undefeated in SEC play with a 5-0-1 record.

In earning Second Team All-America honors, Schmidt went 8-2-2 in equitation on the flat during the regular season. She has one MVP, and led the flat team with a 6-0-1 record in away and neutral site meets. Schmidt will finish her career with eight All-America honors, earning the nod each season in both equitation over fences and equitation on the flat.

Smith, who earns her second career Second Team All-America honor, went 7-3 in equitation over fences for the Gamecocks during the regular season.

The Gamecocks return to action next week in Waco, Texas at the NCEA National Championship. South Carolina received a first round bye, and will face the New Mexico State/Fresno State winner at 9:30 a.m. ET in the quarterfinals on April 17.

NCEA First-Team All-America

Equitation Over Fences
Sam Schaefer, Baylor
Katherine Schmidt, South Carolina
Amber Henter, South Carolina
Elizabeth Benson, Auburn

Equitation On The Flat
Sam Schaefer, Baylor
Kylee Arbuckle, Georgia
Kari Hancock, TCU
Haley Buchmiller, Texas A&M

Horsemanship
Sam Chiodo, South Carolina
Paige Stawicki, Georgia
Katy Krshka, Oklahoma State
Sara Parr, Georgia

Reining
Katy Krshka, Oklahoma State
Mariah Wright, South Dakota State
Lauren Garmon, Georgia
Layla Choate, South Carolina

NCEA Second-Team All-America

Equitation Over Fences
Leylan Gleeson, Georgia
Samantha Smith, South Carolina
Ashley Foster, Auburn
Sylvia de Toledo, SMU

Equitation On The Flat
Katherine Schmidt, South Carolina
Henley Adkins, Kansas State
Elizabeth Benson, Auburn
Mia Bray, UT-Martin

Horsemanship
Kaci Fisher, Texas A&M
Dani Kemper, Kansas State
Megan McMullen, TCU
Taylor Brown, Fresno State

Reining
Laura Sumrall, Texas A&M
Katsy Leeman, Auburn
Brynn Larson, New Mexico State
Chantz Stewart, TCU

NCEA Honorable Mention All-America

Equitation Over Fences
Meg O’Mara, Georgia
Nikki Diamantis, TCU
Schaefer Raposa, SMU

Equitation On The Flat
Marielle Golden, South Dakota State
Audrey Gallagher, Texas A&M
Hunter Ralston, UT-Martin
Liza Finsness, Georgia
Kaitlin Perry, TCU
Anna Rea, Texas A&M
Alicia Gasser, Baylor
Amy White, Oklahoma State

Horsemanship
Parris Rice, Baylor
Gillian Chant, Baylor
Rachel Williams, Fresno State
Lindsey McMullen, Oklahoma State
Lucy Igoe, Auburn
Logan Pluhar, Texas A&M

Reining
Miranda Sullivan, South Dakota State
Katie Gray, TCU
Allie Dusha, Auburn