Carolina Sweeps M.O.P. Honors Against Jackrabbits
Columbia, S.C. – The No. 5 South Carolina equestrian team wrapped up its first weekend back in the ring with a 15-5 win over the South Dakota State Jackrabbits on Saturday at OneWood Farm.
The Gamecocks (4-4, 1-2 SEC) swept the Most Outstanding Player honors on Saturday with freshman Madeline Schaefer earning the fences award and sophomore Grady Lyman taking the flat honors. The Garnet and Black saw two first-time M.O.P. winners on the western side as junior Addie Cromer took the honors in reining while freshman Kiersten Beckner finished the sweep with her win in horsemanship.
Carolina got the meet started on the flat where junior Louisa Brackett earned the first point of the day with her 82 on Cita. South Dakota State’s Jessica Martinez earned the second flat point, but from there the Jackrabbits found themselves in the deep end. Sophomore Caroline Bald notched an 82 on Joe to win the third point, while junior Billi Brandner took the fourth point with her 85 on Kenny. Lyman finished things up with her 87 on Tattoo to earn her fourth M.O.P. on the flat this season and give Carolina a 4-1 flat victory.
The Garnet and Black came out hot in reining with senior Jordan Scott taking the first point after her 70 on Nike. Cromer took the second point with her M.O.P. winning 71 on Magnum. Cromer’s 71 is also a career high. Senior Caroline Gute keep things rolling with her 70.5 on Stoner to make it 3-0 before McKenzie Duncan earned the fourth point with a 69.5 on Chex. SDSU’s Cassandra Townsend took the last reining point, sending Carolina into the halftime break with an 8-2 lead.
The Gamecocks moved to the fences after the break and kept the momentum going. Lyman earned her second point of the day with an 83 on Mack and freshman Jordan Allen followed her with an 81 on Cal to take the second point. Junior Tyler Petrie brought the heat with an 84 on Quentin ahead of Shaefer’s M.O.P. winning 86 on Batman. Rachel Darby took the final fences point for the Jackrabbits, giving the Gamecocks a 12-3 lead heading down the home stretch.
South Dakota State showed fight in horsemanship, taking the first point thanks to Kodi O’Boyle’s 73.5-point ride on Amos, but Carolina bounced back with points from freshman Natalie Vargo and senior Caroline Gute. SDSU’s Rylee Streit won her point before Beckner sealed the 15-5 win with her 74 on Frosty.
Next Up
The Gamecocks stay home for a SEC clash with the Texas A&M Aggies next weekend. That meet is set to get underway at 9 a.m. ET on Saturday, Feb. 8 at OneWood Farm.
