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Top-ranked Auburn equestrian defeats No. 10 UT Martin in season opener

The returning national champions had four seniors sweep the Most Outstanding Performers awards in the victory

<p>Auburn equestrian defeats South Carolina, 12-7, on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018, in Auburn, Ala.</p>

Auburn equestrian defeats South Carolina, 12-7, on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018, in Auburn, Ala.

Top-ranked Auburn equestrian took down No. 10 UT Martin 15-4 in its season opener Thursday afternoon.

The returning national champions had four seniors sweep the Most Outstanding Performers awards in the victory.

“This was one of our better season openers from top to bottom,” Auburn head coach Greg Williams said. “There were very few mistakes than what we normally see in the first meet of the year. I love that this team really took heart the importance on working on fundamentals and we feel good about that.”

Caitlin Boyle won Most Outstanding Performer in Equitation Over Fences, Lauren Diaz won for Horsemanship, Blair McFarlin won for Reining and was the high scorer while Ashton Alexander won for Equitation on the Flat. 

“The seniors rode extremely strong today,” Williams said. “Every single one in the lineup today is somebody that can ride with anyone in the country. Not only do I like what they are doing in competition, but I really like how they are developing a great leadership style for this team.”

Auburn began with a 7-2 lead entering intermission.

Boyle started with an 86-84 win in Fences, while freshman McKayla Langmeier followed Alexander’s 10-point win with an 81-65 win in her first collegiate event. Senior Hayley Iannotti would finish with a 83-68 win.

Senior Megan Rauh opened Horsemanship with a 74 points in a win. Diaz would follow suit with a 73.5-70.5 win with senior Kelsey Jung earning a team-high 75.5 points in another win.

McFarlin had an event-high 73.5 points in a Reining win, with seniors Ali Fratessa and Betsy Brown adding on two more wins. Sophomore Terri-June Granger capped off the event with a 67-66 victory.

Despite losing the first point, Auburn’s Flat corps came back to win 4-1. Alexander scored 86 points in her MOP ride.

The Tigers will play No. 8 South Carolina on Sept. 28 with a head-to-head starting at 3.p.m. CST.


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