South Carolina Falls to Texas A&M in Semifinals

Auburn, Ala. – South Carolina dropped a tough 12-7 decision to Texas A&M in the semifinals of the SEC Championship on Friday. In the loss, Jordan Allen earned Most Outstanding Performer honors in fences.
 
The day started with horsemanship in which the Gamecocks earned one point. Freshman Kendalynne Herlocker rode to a 225.5 on Hannah to earn the highest score in horsemanship for South Carolina. Her score also ties the program best score in the event in a meet with three judges which was previously set in 2019.
 
On the flat, sophomore Maya Clarkson was the lone Gamecock to earn a point in the event. Her score of 228.5 on Rex gave South Carolina its second point. At the end of the half, the Aggies led 8-2 after they took both events in a 4-1 decision.
 
With the second half underway, South Carolina looked to earn points in fences. Freshman Sophie Mitchell was the first up for the Gamecocks and rode to a 229 on Jake which notched a point for South Carolina. The next to earn a point was Allen on Perry with a 257, the second-highest score of the day in the event which led to her M.O.P. honor. Her 257 is the fourth highest score in fences in a meet with three judges in program history.
 
South Carolina had its best performance of the day in reining. It claimed the first point in the event with a 208 from Chloe Stephenson on Goose. Emma Lane‘s 216.5 on Dullay and Sloane Vogt‘s 203.5 on Ty also earned points for the Gamecocks. Sophomore Emilia Reutimann notably tied her opponent with a 213.5 as South Carolina took reining 3-1. Each of the reining riders broke into the top 25 scores in a meet with three judges, with Lane taking the new number one spot.
 
The Gamecocks will face the loser of the meet between No. 5 Georgia and No. 2 Auburn on Saturday at 10 a.m. ET in the consolation round. The meet will stream here on SEC+.