Ashley Duda

South Carolina Equestrian Head Coach Carol Gwin added Ashley Duda as the Gamecocks’ newest Jumping Seat coach in July of 2024.

“I am thrilled to be working with Ashley Duda again,” Gwin said. Ashley brings a great deal of talent to our coaching staff as a USEF R judge, and trainer, and will be an excellent addition to our coaching staff. Ashley and I go way back to our Virginia roots where she boarded her horse and rode with me. She is an incredibly kind and gifted person who will make an immediate impact to our team.”

An experienced professional rider and coach, Duda brings a wealth of knowledge in the Jumping Seat Equitation ranks to the Gamecocks. Duda has trained and competed hunter and jumper horses at both the local and national level, including extensively on the A circuit throughout the country.

“USC has a history of having a competitive equestrian program, I am looking forward to joining the team of Coach Gwin and Coach Potts and working together to build this program into a powerhouse,” Duda said. “USC has a talented group of riders and I am excited to begin helping them reach their goals as we build a winning team.”

Duda holds an ‘R’ license in both the Hunters and Jumping Seat Equitation, competed in the Open division on the Virginia Tech IHSA team, and served as the Jumping Seat Coach at St. Andrews University and Kansas State gaining IHSA and NCEA experience. Duda currently competes and operates her own training and sales barn, Hunter Hill Farm in Kansas and is riding professionally for Kirin Farm.

Highlights of Duda’s Career Include:

• Coached the 2023 3’3” Grand Champion Junior Hunter at the National Horse Show
• Coached the St. Andrews University American National Riding Commission National Team to a 3rd place finish at the 2018 ANRC National Championship
• Coached the Kansas State University IHSA Team to a Regional Championship and Zone 7 Championship in 2017 along with a top 10 finish at the 2017 IHSA National Championship
• Coached the Individual Open Equitation Reserve Equitation Champion at the 2017 IHSA National Championship
• Coached the Kansas State University IHSA Hunter Seat Club Team to a Regional Championship and Zone 7 Reserve Championship in 2015 and 2016 which qualified the team for IHSA Nationals.
• Coached the St. Andrews IHSA Hunter Seat Team to a top 10 finishes at both the 2011 Intercollegiate Horse Show Association National Championships and 2012 Championships
• Coached the Cacchione Cup third place finisher at the 2011 IHSA National Championships