Broughton Joins Gamecock Equestrian Staff
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina equestrian head coach Carol Gwin announced today the addition of Stephanie Broughton to her staff as the assistant western coach and recruiting coordinator. Broughton brings her experience as a championship rider at Oklahoma State and three years of coaching experience to the Gamecocks’ staff.
“Coach [T.R.] Potts and myself are excited to welcome Stephanie to our program,” Gwin said. “She has excelled as a student-athlete and as a coach, and we believe she will be a great addition.”
In just three years as a coach, Broughton has guided her western riders to five Rider of the Year and three Freshman of the Year conference honors, most recently with the 2025 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Freshman Rider of the Year for Reining at South Dakota State.
Broughton began her coaching career at Delaware State in the 2022-23 season, coaching four Hornets to five NCEA All-America selections across both horsemanship and reining in her two seasons with the western riders. Her inaugural season saw her riders sweep the ECAC’s top awards as the Hornets picked up Riders of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors in both horsemanship and reining. Three Hornets went on to claim NCEA All-America status as well. Broughton guided her horsemanship Freshman of the Year to conference Rider of the Year honors in 2024, adding NCEA Second-Team All-America recognition in both disciplines.
As a rider, Broughton (nee Helsen) was part of Oklahoma State’s 2018 and 2021 Big 12 Championship teams and was a student assistant when the Cowgirls claimed their first team National Championship in 2022. She was a two-time honorable mention All-American and the 2021 Oklahoma State Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year after earning academic recognition from the Big 12 and NCEA every year of her career. Broughton graduated from Oklahoma State in 2021 with bachelor of science degrees in agricultural education and agricultural leadership.
“I am beyond honored and excited to be joining the Gamecock family,” Broughton said. “It has been so fun to see what Coach Gwin and Coach Potts have done with Gamecock Equestrian in just one year, and I can’t wait to be a part of the continued growth and success of this program.”
South Carolina equestrian season begins its 2025-26 season on Fri., Sept. 26, when SMU comes to Blythewood. The Gamecocks will host six meets at One Wood Farm this season.
