April 18, 2008
Waco, Texas - The Auburn equestrian team won the second round of Hunt Seat, defeating defending National Champion South Carolina, 6-2, but fell in Western to second-seeded Georgia, 5-2. Auburn advances to the third round in Hunt Seat and will face top-seed Oklahoma State, while the Tigers take on South Carolina in the consolation bracket in Western this afternoon.
"Our Hunt Seat team rode well," said Auburn head coach Greg Williams. "Beating the three time Hunt Seat National Champions is incredible. Our Western team had some nice rides, but couldn't finish."
Auburn won Hunt Seat Equitation over Fences 4-0 defeating South Carolina. Tiger winners included Dottie Grubb over Kristen Terebesi 155-135, Ali Loprete over Megan Massaro 168-145, Jenny Reinhart over Eleanor Kunsman 149-133 and Anna Schierholz over Nicole Bourgeois 165-139.
Auburn tied South Carolina 2-2 in Hunt Seat Equitation on the Flat. Tiger winners included Katie Breedlove over Alex Haskell 172-157 and Rebecca Rifkin over Sarah Stephens 149-120. Gamecock winners included Victoria Middleton over Ali Loprete 167-160 and Kristen Terebesi over Chelsea Anheuser 160-155.
Auburn tied Georgia 2-2 in Western Horsemanship. Tiger winners included Jessica Jones over Katelyn Van Allen 142-134 and Kim Tidwell over Laura Upton 138-136.5. Bulldog winners included Lauren Love over Avery Sams 147-137 and Alicia Shrum over Kylie Miller 149-141.5.
Georgia won Western Reining 3-0. Bulldog winners included Diandra St. Hilaire over Ashton Fairey 147.5-142.5, Sarah Locker over Paige Monfore 146.5-146 and Kate Stewart over Lyndsey Jordan 145.5-140. Tying with a score of 140.5 were Auburn's Julie Gibbes and Georgia's Nichole Grant.
"We have been successful all year long," said Williams. "Our Hunt Seat team needs to keep riding like they have been. In Western, our Reiners need to keep competing, while our Horsemanship has greatly improved. The girls just need to continue to ride the way they have been. They need to concentrate on what's at hand, and the rest will take care of itself."
The third round will finish Friday with the team and individual championships on Saturday at the Heart O' Texas Fair Complex in Waco, Texas.