South Carolina Falls to Auburn in Spring Opener

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina (0-7, 0-4 SEC) dropped a tough 14-4 decision to No. 3 Auburn (6-2, 3-1 SEC) on Saturday afternoon. Highlighting the day, freshman Chloe VanStone earned the first Most Outstanding Performer honor of her career in reining. 
 
In reining, VanStone earned the first point for South Carolina. She notched a 72.5 on Chex to top her Auburn opponent. Her 72.5 was the highest score of the day in reining and led to her M.O.P. honor. VanStone was the lone rider to score a point in the event for the Gamecocks, which Auburn took 4-1.
 
The Gamecocks earned an additional point on the flat. Sophomore Maya Clarkson made her 2021-22 season debut and scored a 70 on Redford to win the point. The ride was also Redford’s debut on the flat. Notably, junior Madeline Schaefer scored a 76 on Cuidento which was tied her Tiger opponent. No point was awarded and Auburn took the flat 3-1.
 
At the half, Auburn led South Carolina 7-2.
 
With horsemanship underway, freshman Kendie Herlocker kept the Tigers from earning all five points. She scored a 74.5 to tie her opponent and held Auburn to a 4-0 finish in the event.
 
South Carolina earned its most points of the day in fences. Nina Columbia scored a 71 on Dallas to give the Gamecocks their third point. On the last ride of the meet, senior Trinity Hammerschmidt and Steve Irwin scored a 73 to award the final point to South Carolina. At the end of the meet, Auburn had topped South Carolina 14-4.
 
South Carolina will hit the road for a meet at No. 4 Baylor on February 18th at noon ET. The Gamecocks will resume SEC competition on February 19th with a noon ET meet against No. 2 Texas A&M.