When Edwardsburg’s Katie Kopf earned a scholarship to South Carolina for the equestrian team it was a first for southwest Michigan.

Kopf used that scholarship well as she helped the Gamecocks do some special things in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

While riding for South Carolina, Kopf and the Gamecocks won the school’s first SEC Tournament championship in 2011. They also won it in 2012 and 2013 to become the first school in league history to win three consecutive championships.

“My freshman year we were not very good. It was a rebuilding year,” Kopf said. “So to be able to be a part of that was a great experience. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

Unlike when she was a member of the Edwardsburg Equestrian Team, at the collegiate level, riders do not own their horses. In fact, they get a different horse at each competition.

“The horse is provided by the school,” Kopf said. “You have to ride a different horse each day, so you have to be able to adapt quickly. The better equestrian athletes are able to adapt and learn the strengths and weaknesses of each horse.”

Kopf competed in Western Horsemanship and Reigning.

“A week before the competition you are given a pattern,” she said. “The day of the competition you are paired with a member of the other team and given a horse. Each person gets four minutes to warm up and then you perform the pattern. You take your horse through 12 specific maneuvers. There is a total of  20 points. The rider with the most points wins.”

Kopf, who graduated in August, earned a degree in marketing and management. Although she does not think she will be able to make a career out of riding horses, her time spent at South Carolina will serve her well in the future.

“Being on a team teaches you a lot of skills that a job can’t teach your,” she said.