No. 1 Auburn remains undefeated in win over No. 4 SMU

The No. 1 Auburn equestrian team gained another impressive win Saturday, over the two-time defending national champion No. 4 SMU, in an 11-6 victory to improve to 3-0 on the season. 

“It was a great win today,” Auburn head coach Jessica Braswell said. “I think this was a good test for us because SMU is a really great team. They are the two-time defending national champions for a reason. We knew we’d have our work cut out for us and we showed up today.”

The Tigers dominated on the day, winning all four events and taking home three of four Most Outstanding Performer honors (MOP).

Auburn secured both of the MOPs in Jumping Seat, with senior Sophee Steckbeck winning Flat and sophomore Avery Glynn winning fences. Fifth-year Olivia Bradley earned the third MOP honors in Reining. 

“Winning all four events is such a big deal and hard to do no matter if you’re home or on the road,” Braswell said. “We had big scores in Flat, including from Sophee, and saw a huge ride from Olivia on a really tough horse. And Avery continues to ride very well to put up big marks.”

Auburn started the meet off strong against the Mustangs, taking a 6-3 lead into intermission after Flat and Reining. 

“I love the way we started in Flat and Reining,” Braswell said. “Those are tough events and are tough to start with and I thought the team rode really, really well.”

The Flat corpse earned a 3-2 against the Mustangs thanks to Steckbeck’s strong win to lead off. 

She downed Hensley Humphries, 91-82.5, scoring a season-best in the event. SMU took the next point before Glyn secured an 87.5-84 victory over Eli Yeager. 

The Mustangs tied it after winning the fourth point, but fifth-year Elli Ferrigno closed the event out with a 92.5-76 win, marking her season high. 

Reining took a 3-1-1 record in the first half to give the Tigers yet another advantage at the break. 

Bradley started off with a 67-63 win to take MOP honors and remain undefeated in the event. 

Junior Caroline Buchanan kept up her undefeated streak, beating Maria Richards, 70.75-68.75, to move to 3-0-0 on the year. 

Freshman Michelle Fumagalli closed it out with a 67.75-67.25 win over Shelby Clausen, with Junior Alexia Tordoff riding to a 71.25-71.25 draw with Chalyce Head.  

“In addition to Olivia, Caroline (Buchanan) continues to shine in Reining,” Braswell said. “Alexia had to go up against a big score and was really smart in her riding so I'm so proud of her. It is also great to see our freshmen have big rides and big scores, and it was crucial to come away with that point.”

The Tigers continued their momentum into the second half with victories in Fences (3-2) and Horsemanship (2-1-2). 

SMU looked to be turning the tides after taking the first two points in Fences before the Tigers responded with three-straight wins. 

Junior Mary-Grace Segars secured a close win 82.5-82, to take the first point of the Tigers. Glynn came up big, beating Yeager again and taking a 91.5 in a win to secure the MOP. F

Freshman Kate Hagerty made her first career start and also came away with her first career win, 87-81, to cap the Jumping Seat side of the meet. 

Junior Lauren Hall led off in Horsemanship, scoring a career-best 74 in a tie with Jayna Lagace.

Sophomore Sydney Swallom tied her season best with a 75 in a win over Ava Blyth. Tordoff earned a match-high 76.25 on her ride beating out her opponent's 74. 

The Mustangs took a point before sophomore Brooke Jolstad and SMU’s Alexa Black ended the day with a 73.75-73.75 tie. 

“We were really good today but could still be better, so I think that gives us a lot of confidence as we hit the road these next two weeks,” Braswell said. “We have some long trips coming up, so it'll be important that we show up and ready to go early. We’re looking forward to the challenges ahead.”

The Tigers will head away from Auburn, AL, facing No. 10 UT Martin and No. 5 Oklahoma state. UT Martin and Auburn will face off on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 10 a.m. CT in Martin, TN.