It all came down to a tiebreaker for the No. 2 Auburn equestrian team on Saturday. The Tigers emerged victorious over No. 1 Texas A&M in the 9-9 meet at the Auburn University Horse Center, notching a 1594-1501.5 win.
“It’s always good to get a win and we’ll always be happy when we can pull one out when it’s close,” head coach Greg Williams said. “However, we made mistakes that we shouldn’t be making. Texas A&M rode very well, but we have to clean things up from our end.”
Seniors Hannah Stephens and Ashley Foster were named Most Outstanding Performer honors, coming in Horsemanship and Equitation Over Fences, respectively.
“Hannah [Stephens] had a great ride on a horse that was being tough today and I’m really proud of what she pulled off on that horse,” Williams said. “Ashley [Foster] knocked it out from start to finish and we really love the ride she had.”
Horsemanship was 4-1 on the day against the Aggies. Stephens was the high scorer, having 75.5 points in her MOP victory over Rachel Lucht. Sophomore Lauren Diaz followed with a 74-71.5 win, while freshman Kara Kaufmann remained undefeated on the year with a 72.5-70.5 win vs. Kaci Fisher. Sophomore Megan Rauh picked up Auburn’s fourth point in the event as she defeated Sarah Orsak, 73-63.5.
Foster and sophomore Caitlin Boyle put two points on the board for Auburn in Equitation Over Fences. Foster’s 85-83 win gave her MOP honors and kept her undefeated in the discipline. Boyle topped Kai DeVoglaer, 84-75, and Auburn went into intermission with a 6-4 lead.
Auburn came away with a 2-1 win in the Equitation on the Flat event. Senior Tory Hoft earned her third win of the year, topping Alex Desiderio 82-78. Sophomore Hayley Iannotti was the high scorer in the event, having 89 points in her win. Boyle and Foster came away with a pair of ties in their matches.
With Reining remaining in the match, Auburn held a slim 8-5 advantage. The Aggies took four points in tightly contested matches, while junior Alexa Rivard gave Auburn its ninth point of the day with a 68.5-59 victory over Sarah McEntire.
Auburn will continue its home stand and host Alabama in an exhibition meet on Oct. 21 at 3 p.m. CST. The Tigers and the Tide will face off at the Auburn University Horse Center with only the Hunt Seat student-athletes competing.
#2 AUBURN 9 (1594), #1 TEXAS A&M 9 (1501.5)
Equitation on the Flat
Tory Hoft (AU) def. Alex Desiderio (TAMU), 82-78
Hayley Iannotti (AU) def. Isabella Norton (TAMU), 89-58
Caitlin Boyle (AU) tied Maddie Swem (TAMU), 81-81
Ashley Foster (AU) tied Rachael Hake (TAMU), 75-75
Rebekah Chenelle (TAMU)* def. Ashton Alexander (AU), 88-86
Equitation Over Fences
Rebekah Chenelle (TAMU) def. Ashton Alexander (AU), 86-83
Rachael Hake (TAMU) def. Hayley Iannotti (AU), 85-82
Haley Webster (TAMU) def. Becky Kozma (AU), 75-72
Ashley Foster (AU)* def. Alex Desiderio (TAMU), 85-83
Caitlin Boyle (AU) def. Kai DeVoglaer (TAMU), 84-75
Horsemanship
Hannah Stephens (AU)* def. Rachel Lucht (TAMU), 75.5-70
Lauren Diaz (AU) def. Bailey Cook (TAMU), 74-71.5
Kara Kaufmann (AU) def. Kaci Fisher (TAMU), 72.5-70.5
Megan Rauh (AU) def. Sarah Orsak (TAMU), 73-63.5
Avery Ellis (TAMU) def. Kelsey Jung (AU), 72.5-70.5
Reining
Haley Franc (TAMU) def. Betsy Brown (AU), 71-70.5
Jaci Marley (TAMU) def. Blair McFarlin (AU), 67.5-66.5
Alexa Rivard (AU) def. Sarah McEntire (TAMU), 68.5-59
Madison Bohman (TAMU)* def. Ali Fratessa (AU), 72.5-71
Sarah Kate Grider (TAMU) def. Kara Kaufmann (AU), 69-68
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