Gamecocks Down Bulldogs on Senior Day
Blythewood, S.C. – South Carolina equestrian defeated No. 4 Georgia in a narrow 10-9 decision on Saturday. The Gamecocks earned three M.O.P. awards in Michaela Schrim, Madeline Schaefer and Trinity Hammerschmidt to highlight the Senior Day victory.
“What a great way to celebrate our senior day,” said head coach Boo Major. “A great win and a well-deserved win. Our fans were fantastic and kept us motivated. Our student athletes rode their hearts out. I am so proud of the effort made!”
The competition started with the flat. The Bulldogs earned the first point of the meet, but senior Alice Kass‘ 77.5 on Barnaby got the Gamecocks on the board. Soon thereafter, senior Trinity Hammerschmidt put down an 86.5 on Murphy to notch the next point. Hammerschmidt’s score was her highest so far this season and led to her M.O.P. honor. Sophomore Maya Clarkson closed out the event with an 88 on Dento to earn the team’s highest score in the event this season. The Gamecocks took the flat 3-2.
In the horsemanship, South Carolina earned two additional points. Senior Michaela Schrim earned the highest score of the day in the event with a 74 on Paddy and secured the M.O.P. honor. The next Gamecock to earn a point in the event was Tierney Hortonwith a 72.5 on Houdini. Georgia ultimately took horsemanship 3-2 to tie things up 5-5 at the half.
The meet was closely contested throughout fences and reining. Points went back and forth in fences, with freshman Sophie Mitchell earning the first point in the event with a 78 on Dallas. Georgia claimed the next point, but Jordan Allen‘s 82 on Steve Irwin pushed the Gamecocks ahead once more.
The Bulldogs claimed one additional point, but junior Madeline Schaefer was still to ride. She scored an 84 on Barnaby to help South Carolina to a 3-2 fences win. Her top score of the day led to her first M.O.P. in the event this season and completed the jumping seat M.O.P. sweep.
The meet came down to the final ride in reining. Emma Lane earned the first point of the event with a 68 on Chex to give the Gamecocks their ninth point. Senior Sloane Vogt notably tied her opponent with a 70.5 on Magnum and no point was awarded. Georgia closed in with its eighth point, quickly followed by its ninth. With one ride left, Chloe Stephenson entered the arena on Nike. She successfully rode to a 69 to earn the final point of the meet and secure the 10-9 victory for South Carolina.
South Carolina will close out its full team home meet schedule on Friday, March 4 against Delaware State at 9 a.m. On Saturday, March 5, the jumping seat squad will face Lynchburg at One Wood Farm at 11 a.m.
