The No. 1 Auburn equestrian team ended the season off on a high note, toppling No. 5 Texas A&M, 15-4, Saturday afternoon at the Auburn Equestrian Center.
The Tigers (9-2, 4-2 SEC) won all four events on their senior day, securing the overall No. 1 seed at the SEC championship. Auburn additionally claimed all Most Outstanding Performers honors.
The Tigers celebrated their eight seniors in front of the large Saturday crowd. They honored Holland Barnett, Caroline Buchanan, Caroline Fredenburg, Lauren Hall, Isabel Litkenhous, Baylee Mckeever, Charlotte Mclaughin, and Alexia Tordoff.
Auburn kicked off the first half with a 7-3 lead, after claiming wins in both Flat and Reining. Flat led the way, dominating with a 4-1-0 showing, while Reining followed with a 3-2 win.
Sophomore Sadie Berkhout started Flat strong, earning a 77-69.5 win. Shortly after, junior Avery Glynn scored a meet-high 86.5 points, claiming MOP. Sophomore Ariana Marnell won a close match with an 82.5-82, and Kate Hagerty earned an 83 to dominate Devan Thomas’s 74.5. The Aggies picked up their lone point in this event when Nicole McMillion edged Caroline Olson 81-80.
The Tigers highlighted the second half with a sweep in Fences. Freshman Caroline Olson set the tone early with a 73.5-72 victory, carrying momentum into Marnell’s MOP win, 88-84. Hagerty scored an 86 to take down Grace Shipman’s 83.5, and Glynn’s 79 held to dominate Alida Treuting’s 78.5. Freshman Emily Jurnovoy wrapped up the sweep with a 75.5-83.5 victory.
“I’m so proud of this team and how they performed,” said head coach Jessica Braswell, “What a way for these seniors to finish the regular season together. We still have a lot of work in front of us, but I’m excited about where we are.”
Buchanan opened Reining with a 70.5-68.25 victory, securing her as the MOP in Reining. Freshman Sofia Tieche edged her opponent, Isabelle Gonzalez, 70-69.5. Junior Callie Hogg finished the event strong, securing the final point of the event with a 68.5-64.75 victory.
Auburn posted a 3-1-1 record in the second half of the Western with three Tigers earning victories against the Aggies in Horsemanship.
The seniors shone in this event with Tordoff and Fredenburg each winning with 77s, leading to Fredenburg earning MOP honors. Junior Brooke Jolstad finished off the event with a narrow victory, 75.25-75, against Meagan Braun.
Looking ahead, the Tigers will host the 2026 SEC Equestrian Championship on March 27 through 28. The tournament will be held at the Auburn University Equestrian Center and will consist of three meets.
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