No. 3 Auburn Equestrian team (4-1) came home after last week's match against Tennessee-Martin and defeated Texas A&M Aggies (1-2) 10-8. The Tigers won 8-2 in Hunt Seat, but lost 6-2 in Western.
"Overall the meet went great, but it was due to the Hunt Seat riders," said head coach Greg Williams. "I think they felt the sting from South Carolina, and they brought it in today's match."
The Tigers won Equitation on the Flat 3-2 behind Most Valuable Player sophomore Maggie McAlary, who defeated Hannah Siolbelhman, 79-61, on horse Sam.
Other Auburn winners were freshman Lindsay Portela over Brittany Dodson, 76-63, and senior Katie Breedlove over Christina Heine, 85-67, on Luke.
"Today was great," Breedlove said. "I rode the horse with what I had, and he was great for me."
The Tigers then swept Hunt Seat Equitation over Fences 5-0 behind sophomore MVP Grace Socha who defeated Jackie O'Connell, 89-72.
Other winners included junior Dottie Grubb, who defeated Lindsay Smith, 84-74, freshman Anna Becker over Brooke Coleman, 83-78, Maggie McAlary over Maggie Earle, 92-77, and junior Anna Schierholz over Lia Chafee, 86-85.
Texas A&M won Western Horsemanship 3-2 behind MVP Carey Nowacek who beat junior Bailey Dymond, 73.5-68, on Kitty.
Other Aggies winners included Randi Standley over junior Mary Casey, 71-68, and Caroline Gunn over senior Kylie Miller, 75-73.
Auburn winners were freshman Indy Roper, who defeated Kelsey Adams, 73-69, and sophomore Kristin Hansen over Dana Hall, 68.5-0.
Texas A&M also took the Western Reining event 3-0.
"We didn't really push enough for the win," Williams said. "I would not want to be the reining team that faces us next because we'll be after it."
The Aggies were led by MVP Abigail Grabein who defeated junior Jillian Fuler, 69-61.
Other Aggie winners included Courtney Dawe over junior Paige Monfore, 63-62.5, and Maggie Gratney over Kristin Hansen, 69.5-64.5.
Auburn's Lyndsey Jordan and Kim Pope had tying scores of 66.5 and 68.
"We made a few mistakes that we need to clean up if we want to ride against the No. 1 Western team," said senior Western rider Kim Pope. "We just need to slow down and think about what we are doing."
Auburn travels to Bethany, Conn., and Dover, Del., to face Sacred Heart University Pioneers and Delaware State Hornets Nov. 7-8 before traveling to Bishop, Ga., to take on rival Georgia.
"This will be a time when we'll let the team re-charge just a little bit right before the Georgia meet," Williams said.
No. 4 Georgia Bulldogs are 3-1 and will ride against No. 1 South Carolina Gamecocks and No. 9 Fresno State before hosting Auburn.
Williams said the rides will be hard and every rider has to go in for a big win if they're going to beat Georgia.
Auburn's next home meet is Jan. 31 against No. 6 Oklahoma State.
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