Finding a way to win on the road, the No. 2 Auburn equestrian team won over No. 10 UT Martin with a final score of 11-9. The Tigers, securing the win in dramatic fashion with the last two points, remain undefeated with three wins on the year.
“I’m really proud of our team today,” said head coach Jessica Braswell. “They rode really well and put on a great meet. We had to grind it out against them, and that will only help us later in the season.”
In the early stages, the reining corps held a slight 8-7 lead after three events, requiring three more points for the team victory. Sophomore Caroline Buchanan kicked off with a 70-69.5 lead, keeping her unbeaten streak alive and leading the Tigers to a 9-7 advantage. However, UT Martin responded with two consecutive points, leveling the meet at 9-9.
The pivotal moment came when senior Isabella Tesmer, facing a 69 from her Skyhawk opponent, won with a score of 70. This victory secured her second MOP honor of the year. Sophomore Alexia Tordoff sealed the deal with a commanding 69-0 win, earning Auburn its 11th point.
“We had a lot of big rides, but the biggest one was from Isabella (Tesmer),” Braswell said. “We needed to swing momentum back in Reining, and she did that for us with a great ride. We are ready to get back to work and prepare for another big meet against Georgia next weekend.”
Turning to the fences corps, Auburn rallied with four consecutive victories following a strong start by UT Martin to take the event with a 4-1.
Juniors Anna Marie Mayes, Sophee Steckbeck and Mary-Grace Segars led the charge, securing three wins. Mayes outscored her opponent by seven points with an 85, while Steckbeck narrowly edged hers 84-83. Segars triumphed with an 86, winning by a margin of 13. Senior Ellie Ferrigno closed the event with a score of 89-78, earning the MOP distinction.
In the flat, the Jumping Seat side earned two points after intermission, with fifth-year Ava Stearns and Segars bookending the victories. Stearns scored an 88 to secure her point, while Segars outperformed her opponent with a score of 86-82.
In Western competition, horsemanship witnessed two freshmen, Sydney Swallom and Brooke Jolstad, claim victories to commence the meet. Swallom achieved a career-high score of 75.5 and her first win, while Jolstad earned a career-best 74, also her first-career win.
Auburn will return home on Friday, Oct. 20, hosting rival and nationally-ranked Georgia. The matchup between the two teams is set to take place at 3 p.m. CT at the Auburn University Equestrian Center.
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Patrick is a sophomore from Auburn, Alabama, double majoring in journalism and marketing. He started with The Plainsman in fall 2022.
