Oct. 18, 2008
AUBURN--The top-ranked Auburn equestrian team (3-0) defeated second-ranked and defending overall national champion Georgia (3-1) 12-5 at the Auburn Equestrian Center Saturday. The Tigers defeated the rival Bulldogs 7-3 in Hunt Seat and 5-2 in Western.
"This is a huge win," said Auburn head coach Greg Williams. "Georgia is one of those teams that will come to your place and beat you. We're a much stronger team than I think we've been in the past. I think we showed that when we picked up a road win in South Carolina, but to have a convincing win at home shows how good these girls are. The great thing about them is we still see improvement all the time, so if they will stay on a continuing plane like that in the spring then we're going to have a great nationals."
Auburn won Hunt Seat Equitation over Fences 3-2 behind MVP Anna Schierholz, who defeated Mary Fulp 86-77. Other Tiger winners included Grace Socha over Kitt Ritter 84-78 and Ali Loprete over Emma Lipman 75-72. Bulldog winners included Haley Jayne over Jessica Braswell 88-77 and Kelley Cowperthwait over Jenny Reinhart 80-37.
Auburn won Hunt Seat Equitation on the Flat 4-1 behind MVP Maggie McAlary, who defeated Michelle Morris 91-66. Other Tiger winners included Katie Breedlove over Mary Fulp 80-68, Chelsea Anheuser over Amy Klebesadel 78-75 and Rebecca Rifkin over Daisy Whelan 78-77. Bulldog winners include Haley Jayne over Ali Loprete 75-68.
Georgia edged Auburn in Western Horsemanship 2-1 behind MVP Katelyn Van Allen, who defeated Bailey Dymond 73.5-69.5. Other Bulldog winners include Lauren Love over Kylie Miller 73.5-70.5. Tiger winner include Shannon Hinton over Alicia Shrum 72-69. Tying with a score of 69.5 were Auburn's Mary Casey and Georgia's Laura Upton and with a score of 70.5 were Auburn's Jessica Jones and Georgia's Dana Kennedy.
Auburn won Western Reining 4-0 behind MVP Paige Monfore, who defeated Hannah Dyer 74-71.5. Other Tiger winners included Lyndsey Jordan over Sarah Locker 73.5-70.5, Ashton Fairey over Nicole Grant 63-62.5 and Kim Pope over Kate Stewart 73-66.5. Tying with a score of 67.5 were Auburn's Kelsey George and Georgia's Diandra St. Hilaire.
Auburn returns to action in the spring against Delaware State Jan. 24 at 1 p.m. CT at the Auburn Equestrian Center.