Three Gamecocks Named SEC Riders of the Year
BIRMINGHAM, AL – South Carolina picked up a slew of conference awards, adding three Rider of the Year selections and seven All-SEC honors for the most since the 2013-14 season (8). Alexis Potts was crowned SEC Horsemanship Rider of the Year, while Grace Rabb earned the Co-Fences Rider of the Year nod. Lillian Laney was named Newcomer of the Year in Horsemanship, transferring in from UT Martin at the beginning of the season.
“This team just keeps delivering and has so much ability,” head coach Carol Gwin said. “A huge shout out to my assistant coaches who have put in the work all season long.”
Alexis Potts | SEC Horsemanship Rider of the Year, All-SEC
Potts had a dominant season, finishing 12-1-2 overall with an undefeated 5-0-1 slate in conference play. Her six Most Outstanding Performer (MOP) awards marked the most in the NCEA, and the most ever for a junior in program history. Her 12 wins and six career MOPs are each tied for the third most in the Gamecock record book. Potts went through the fall undefeated and rounded out the spring portion grabbing five MOPs in a six-meet span. She was also named to the All-SEC list for Horsemanship. The Rider of the Year honor marks the second of her career (2024 Freshman Horsemanship Rider of the Year), and the All-SEC nod is her third.
Grace Rabb | SEC Fences Rider of the Year, All-SEC
Rabb was a strong competitor in Fences, posting a 12-3-0 record. The junior was a force in SEC play, finishing 5-1-0 with two of those wins on the road. Her three MOPs of the season marked a new career-high, and two came against SEC foe Texas A&M. Against the Aggies, Rabb also tallied a new career-high of 93, marking a new program record for the highest score in Fences (when scored with averages). Rabb was named SEC Rider of the Month for January, and the Rider of the Year honor is the first of her career. Her All-SEC Fences selection is the first of her career.
Lillian Laney | SEC Newcomer Horsemanship Rider of the Year
Laney came to the Gamecocks this season from UT Martin, picking up five wins for the Gamecocks in Horsemanship, with two coming against SEC opponents. She averaged an impressive 74 throughout the season and earned a new career-high of 77.5 against SMU to help South Carolina take down the No. 2 team in the country to open up the fall. The 77.5 was the highest score for the Gamecocks this season in the event. This is the first SEC honor of Laney’s career, and her second conference nod (2024-25 All-ECAC).
2025-26 All-SEC Selections
All-SEC (Equitation Over Fences)
Avery Glynn, Auburn
Caroline Olsen, Auburn
Grace Rabb, South Carolina
Tessa Downey, Georgia
Amira Kettaneh, South Carolina
Ariana Marnell, Auburn
Grace Shipman, Texas A&M
All-SEC (Equitation on the Flat)
Caroline Olsen, Auburn
Kate Egan, Texas A&M
Natalie Jayne, South Carolina
Sarah Rabb, South Carolina
Avery Glynn, Auburn
Maggie Bresch, Georgia
All-SEC (Horsemanship)
Abbey Zawisza, Georgia
Alexia Tordoff, Auburn
Alexis Potts, South Carolina
Brooke Jolstad, Auburn
Caroline Fredenburg, Auburn
All-SEC (Reining)
Alexia Tordoff, Auburn
Caroline Buchanan, Auburn
Mattie Gustin, Texas A&M
Moriah McQueen, Texas A&M
Olivia Cardi, South Carolina
Raegan Shepherd, Georgia
All-Freshman (Reining)
Sofia Tieche, Auburn
Avery Taylor, Georgia
Emily Patton, South Carolina
SEC Community Service Team
Addy Eddy, Auburn
Tessa Brown, Georgia
Mattie McNeill, South Carolina
Alexa Leong, Texas A&M
UP NEXT
The Gamecocks will round out the 2025-26 season at NCEA Nationals as the No. 4 seed, opening competition against fifth-seeded SMU on Thursday, April 16, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
