Gamecocks Pick Up Two MOPs Against No. 1 Auburn

BLYTHEWOOD, SC – The No. 7 South Carolina Equestrian team (2-1, 0-1) faced No. 1 Auburn for the first SEC match of the season Friday, falling 14-5 to the Tigers. Despite the loss, the Gamecocks took home two MOPs (both by freshmen) and defeated Auburn 3-2 overall in Reining.

FENCES

Auburn started off strong in the event, taking the first three available points. Freshman Amira Kettaneh then answered back for the Gamecocks, securing the first point of the day for South Carolina with her 90 on MJ  defeating Sadie Berkhout’s 86.5. For her performance, Kettaneh picked up her second MOP of the season in the event. The 90 also marked the sixth-highest Fences score in program history.

HORSEMANSHIP

The Gamecocks put up a strong fight, but the Tigers took things 5-0 in Horsemanship. The event saw tight matchups, with Jordyn Humbert bringing in a 69 to Callie Hogg’s 70.5, and Tierney Horton’s 72.5-73 against Brooke Jolstad. Horton’s 72.5 was the highest score of the day for South Carolina.

Auburn led 9-1 at the conclusion of the first half.

FLAT

Sophee Steckbeck of Auburn took the first point on the Flat to start the second half, but Mary Hunter Millet stopped the Tigers in their tracks after earning an 83 on Barnaby to tie with Avery Glynn. The Gamecocks kept things going their way, with senior Sophie Mitchell earning her point 81.5-75.5 on Major over Sadie Berkhout. Auburn then took the remaining two points to win the event 3-1.

REINING

The Reining squad finished out strong for South Carolina, defeating the Tigers in the event 3-2. Rookie Opal Fomish started things off with her 69.5-68.5 win against Alexia Tordoff on Chexie, followed by senior Haley Turner’s point with a 68.5 on Nike to take down Michelle Fumagali’s 67.25. Freshman Olivia Cardi sealed the win in Reining with her point on Okie 69.75-67.75 over Catie Reachard. Cardi’s win earned her the first MOP of her career, and she moves to 2-0-0 to stay undefeated on the season.

UP NEXT

The Gamecocks will hit the road to take on SEC foe Texas A&M on Friday, Oct. 25 at 1:00 p.m.