South Carolina Opens Spring Slate with No. 3 Auburn Saturday

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina (0-6, 0-3 SEC) is set to host No. 3 Auburn (5-2, 2-1 SEC) on Saturday at 10 a.m. at One Wood Farm. This will be both teams’ first regular-season meet of the spring as South Carolina looks to notch its first win of the season.
 
“We are looking forward to hosting Auburn, and Coach Williams always has his student-athletes prepared,” said head coach Boo Major. “We have been practicing well and I’m looking forward to seeing how we match up against one of the top equestrian teams in the country. It’s going to be a beautiful day so we hope we’ll have a good turnout from fans to support Gamecock equestrian for our first Saturday meet this season at One Wood Farm.”
 
South Carolina will wear special shirts during warmups in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Title IX. For more information on the athletics department’s Title IX anniversary celebration, please visit GamecocksOnline.com/TitleIX50.
 
Additionally, there will be blue ribbons attached to each horse’s saddle pad in honor of barn manager Maggie Barton who is undergoing treatment for colon cancer.
 
Gamecock Notables

• South Carolina earned four jumping seat and two western M.O.P. honors in the fall. The only Gamecock to earn multiple honors was senior Trinity Hammerschmidt with two on the flat.
• The Gamecocks’ closest meet was at then-No. 7 Fresno State in which the Bulldogs won 10-9.
• South Carolina took jumping seat once in the fall in a 6-2 decision against then-No. 6 TCU. It also took western once in the fall 5-4 against then-No. 7 Fresno State.
• Alexa Aureliano in fences (5-1-0), Hammerschmidt on the flat (5-1-0), and Emma Lane in reining (4-0-2) all lead the Gamecocks with a .833 winning percentage in the most appearances. 
• Eight Gamecocks are undefeated at home this season: Hammerschmidt, Aureliano, Nina Columbia, Madeline Schaefer, Sloane Vogt, Emilia Reutimann, Graycen Hess and Lane.

 
Fall Meet Recap

• In the away meet between the two SEC foes in the fall, Auburn topped the Gamecocks 11-8.
• Hammerschmidt earned M.O.P. honors on the flat with a 79.5.
• The Gamecocks outscored the Tigers in reining 3-1 with points from Chloe Stephenson, Sloane Vogt and Emma Lane.
• South Carolina’s eight points were the most scored against Auburn in any regular-season meet since 2017.

 
Scouting the Tigers

• Auburn enters spring competition with a 5-2 overall record. 
• The Tigers’ jumping seat recently hosted single-discipline meets against New Paltz, Sewanee and Dartmouth. Auburn won all three meets and only gave up one of the 24 possible points.
• Auburn’s 2-1 SEC record includes wins against Georgia and South Carolina.
• The 36-member Auburn squad is led by head coach Greg Williams who is in his 27th season.

 
The Auburn Series

• South Carolina is 19-30 all time against Auburn in full competitions, including a 9-10 home record.
• The Gamecocks last defeated the Tigers in February of 2015 in an 11-7 decision in a home meet.

 
Fan Information

• Concessions will not be available at Saturday’s meet.
• No personal pets are allowed at One Wood Farm.
• Parking at the farm is expected to fill up. Additional parking will be available across the street from the Cobblestone Park main entrance on Blythewood Road. Shuttles from the lot to the farm will be provided.