The Daily Gamecock

PHOTOS: Equestrian seniors reflect on their time as Gamecocks

Senior Claire Pound, mounted on Paddy, demonstrates the pattern for the reigning category during the meet against Texas A&M at One Wood Farm on Feb. 11, 2023. Pound, who has been showing horses from a young age, said that her teammates are what she will miss the most about competing on the collegiate level. “We’re a pretty small team compared to other NCEA teams," Pound said. "I think its super special. We’re all just honestly like 36 best friends, and I’m going to miss them so much, I can’t even explain it.”
Senior Claire Pound, mounted on Paddy, demonstrates the pattern for the reigning category during the meet against Texas A&M at One Wood Farm on Feb. 11, 2023. Pound, who has been showing horses from a young age, said that her teammates are what she will miss the most about competing on the collegiate level. “We’re a pretty small team compared to other NCEA teams," Pound said. "I think its super special. We’re all just honestly like 36 best friends, and I’m going to miss them so much, I can’t even explain it.”
Senior Claire Pound, mounted on Paddy, demonstrates the pattern for the reigning category during the meet against Texas A&M at One Wood Farm on Feb. 11, 2023. Pound is superstitious about what she wears when gearing up to compete. “I always wear the same jewelry. I have a ring that I always have to wear in the same spot. I wear it on my right thumb every single time I show,” Pound said. 
Senior Claire Pound, mounted on Paddy, demonstrates the pattern for the reigning category during the meet against Texas A&M at One Wood Farm on Feb. 11, 2023. Pound is superstitious about what she wears when gearing up to compete. “I always wear the same jewelry. I have a ring that I always have to wear in the same spot. I wear it on my right thumb every single time I show,” Pound said. 
Senior Mary Margaret Coats, mounted on Chexie, competes in the reigning category during the meet against Texas A&M at One Wood Farm on Feb. 11, 2023. One of her favorite memories from competing for the University of South Carolina over the past four years was celebrating Senior Day. “It’s really because all the parents come out, (and) everyone is screaming as loud as you possibly can. We’ve had some crazy wins on Senior Day and it really just makes you realize how appreciative we are of everyone on the team,” Coats said.
Senior Mary Margaret Coats, mounted on Chexie, competes in the reigning category during the meet against Texas A&M at One Wood Farm on Feb. 11, 2023. One of her favorite memories from competing for the University of South Carolina over the past four years was celebrating Senior Day. “It’s really because all the parents come out, (and) everyone is screaming as loud as you possibly can. We’ve had some crazy wins on Senior Day and it really just makes you realize how appreciative we are of everyone on the team,” Coats said.
Senior Mary Margaret Coats, mounted on Chexie, competes in the reigning category during the meet against Texas A&M at One Wood Farm on Feb. 11, 2023. In NCEA competition, you draw what order you compete in and ride the same horse as your opponent. Of all the horses at One Wood Farm, the one named Magnum is one of Coats' favorites. “(I) won my point on him several times,” Coats said. “He is a good boy every time, and he loves being a Gamecock.” 
Senior Mary Margaret Coats, mounted on Chexie, competes in the reigning category during the meet against Texas A&M at One Wood Farm on Feb. 11, 2023. In NCEA competition, you draw what order you compete in and ride the same horse as your opponent. Of all the horses at One Wood Farm, the one named Magnum is one of Coats' favorites. “(I) won my point on him several times,” Coats said. “He is a good boy every time, and he loves being a Gamecock.” 
Senior Nina Columbia, mounted on Barnaby, warms up before the fences category during the meet against Texas A&M at One Wood Farm on Feb. 11, 2023. Columbia, who grew up show jumping, felt at home competing in the fences category, but faced a new discipline in the flats category. “I like the flat because it challenges me in ways that I haven’t been challenged pre-South Carolina,” Columbia said. “And I think I’ve gotten a real good hang of it, so I’m really proud of myself and how I’ve figured it out.” 
Senior Nina Columbia, mounted on Barnaby, warms up before the fences category during the meet against Texas A&M at One Wood Farm on Feb. 11, 2023. Columbia, who grew up show jumping, felt at home competing in the fences category, but faced a new discipline in the flats category. “I like the flat because it challenges me in ways that I haven’t been challenged pre-South Carolina,” Columbia said. “And I think I’ve gotten a real good hang of it, so I’m really proud of myself and how I’ve figured it out.” 
Senior Nina Columbia, mounted on Barnaby, warms up before the fences category during the meet against Texas A&M at One Wood Farm on Feb. 11, 2023.Columbia said that she has no plans to continue to compete after her collegiate career at this time. “I think this is my last hurrah,” Columbia said. “But I think I definitely plan on doing it later in life once I kind of have a little bit of time and I have my life established.” 
Senior Nina Columbia, mounted on Barnaby, warms up before the fences category during the meet against Texas A&M at One Wood Farm on Feb. 11, 2023.Columbia said that she has no plans to continue to compete after her collegiate career at this time. “I think this is my last hurrah,” Columbia said. “But I think I definitely plan on doing it later in life once I kind of have a little bit of time and I have my life established.” 
Senior Madeline Schaefer, mounted on Tanner, competes in the fences category during the meet against Texas A&M at One Wood Farm on Feb. 11, 2023. Of the horses that she has competed on during her time at South Carolina, two top Schaefer’s list of favorites. “My freshman year I showed Batman a lot, who is kind of a legend," Schaefer said. "I owe him a majority of my MOPs freshman year because he was amazing. And now, I guess I would have to say my care horse Barnaby. He’s a good boy, but he’s no Batman.”
Senior Madeline Schaefer, mounted on Tanner, competes in the fences category during the meet against Texas A&M at One Wood Farm on Feb. 11, 2023. Of the horses that she has competed on during her time at South Carolina, two top Schaefer’s list of favorites. “My freshman year I showed Batman a lot, who is kind of a legend," Schaefer said. "I owe him a majority of my MOPs freshman year because he was amazing. And now, I guess I would have to say my care horse Barnaby. He’s a good boy, but he’s no Batman.”
Senior Madeline Schaefer, mounted on Tanner, competes in the fences category during the meet against Texas A&M at One Wood Farm on Feb. 11, 2023. Schaefer said the Gamecocks' recent win against Georgia as one of her best memories of the season. “Watching Emma Lane was the last to go and she knew she had to win her point to win, and we did, and that was our way we ended the season last semester,” Schaefer said.
Senior Madeline Schaefer, mounted on Tanner, competes in the fences category during the meet against Texas A&M at One Wood Farm on Feb. 11, 2023. Schaefer said the Gamecocks' recent win against Georgia as one of her best memories of the season. “Watching Emma Lane was the last to go and she knew she had to win her point to win, and we did, and that was our way we ended the season last semester,” Schaefer said.
Senior Kiersten Beckner, mounted on Willy, competes in the horsemanship category during the meet against Texas A&M at One Wood Farm on Feb. 11, 2023. Before every meet, Beckner listens to music to get in the zone and drinks a specific carbonated beverage. “I have to have a can of Coke to drink,” Beckner said.
Senior Kiersten Beckner, mounted on Willy, competes in the horsemanship category during the meet against Texas A&M at One Wood Farm on Feb. 11, 2023. Before every meet, Beckner listens to music to get in the zone and drinks a specific carbonated beverage. “I have to have a can of Coke to drink,” Beckner said.
Senior Kiersten Beckner, mounted on Willy, competes in the horsemanship category during the meet against Texas A&M at One Wood Farm on Feb. 11, 2023. While Beckner must hone her horsemanship skills to compete on a variety of horses, there is one horse in particular at One Wood Farm that holds a special place in her heart. “His name is Willy … I’ve had him since he was a two-year-old and he’s ten now,” Beckner said. “He means so much to me, so having him here with me has been the highlight of my career at Carolina."
Senior Kiersten Beckner, mounted on Willy, competes in the horsemanship category during the meet against Texas A&M at One Wood Farm on Feb. 11, 2023. While Beckner must hone her horsemanship skills to compete on a variety of horses, there is one horse in particular at One Wood Farm that holds a special place in her heart. “His name is Willy … I’ve had him since he was a two-year-old and he’s ten now,” Beckner said. “He means so much to me, so having him here with me has been the highlight of my career at Carolina."