March 27, 2010
AUBURN - The No. 2 Auburn equestrian team defeated No. 1 Georgia 12-7 to win the Southern Equestrian Championships Saturday at the Auburn Equestrian Center. It was the second time this season that the Tigers defeated the top-ranked Bulldogs. Auburn improved to 14-3 while Georgia fell to 12-3.
"Today is a great win for Auburn," said Auburn head coach Greg Williams. "Georgia is a tough team but our girls rode well and brought home the championship trophy. We will enjoy this win for the weekend and then get ready for nationals."
Auburn and Georgia tied 5-5 in Hunterseat, but the Tigers went on to defeat the Bulldogs 7-2 in Western for the win.
In Hunt Seat Equitation on the Flat, Georgia defeated Auburn 3-2. Tiger winners included MVP Maggie McAlary over Grace Rogers 152-136 and Ali Loprete over Katie Hagerty 142-130. Bulldog winners included Michelle Morris over Chelsea Anheuser 121-106, Carly Anthony over Katie Breedlove 121-111 and Emma Lipman over Lindsay Portela 132-114.
In Hunt Seat Equitation over Fences, the Tigers defeated the Bulldogs 3-2. Auburn was led by MVP Maggie McAlary as she defeated Kacy Jenkins 174-160. Other Auburn winners included Anna Schierholz over Grace Rogers 167-158 and Ali Loprete over Carly Anthony 110-75. Georgia winners included Michelle Morris over Dottie Grubb 163-157 and Emma Lipman over Grace Socha 163-160.
The Tigers took Western Horsemanship 4-1 over the Bulldogs. Auburn winners included Kristin Hansen over Maria Salazaar 147.5-141.5, Jessica Jones over Alicia Shrum 146.5-143, Bailey Dymond over Michelle Fulcher 148.5-142 and Indy Roper over Lauren Love 142-137. For Georgia, MVP Dana Wilson defeated Kylie Miller 147.5-143.
In Western Reining, Auburn defeated Georgia 3-1. Tiger winners included Kim Pope over Sarah Locker 144.5-141.5, Paige Monfore over Becca Halaand 142-121.5 and Lyndsey Jordan over Kelly Truesdell 139-134. For the Bulldogs, Hannah Dyer defeated Jillian Fuller 136.5-136. South Carolina MVP Diandra St. Hilaire and Auburn's Indy Roper tied at 146.
The Tigers return to action April 15-17 for the Varsity Equestrian National Championships in Waco, Texas.