March 9, 2012
Las Cruces, N.M. -
The No. 2 Auburn equestrian team (8-4) split a pair of meets Friday, falling to No. 8 New Mexico State, 8-7, but bouncing back to defeat Fresno State, 11-5, at the New Mexico State Equestrian Center.
"We rode really well today, and I am pleased with the efforts," Auburn head coach Greg Williams said. "I wish we could have pulled in just one more better score this morning against New Mexico State, but we didn't do it.
"Great job to the New Mexico State team for their great riding and putting on a well-run event. I am proud of the way the girls rebounded and finished with a win against Fresno State."
In the first meet against New Mexico State, Auburn defeated the Aggies in Hunt Seat, 4-3, after winning Equitation on the Flat, 2-1, and tying, 2-2, in Equitation over Fences.
In Equitation on the Flat, the Tigers picked up points from Christina Lin and Jennifer Delman. Lin defeated Stephanie Gershon, 77-76, while Delman defeated Brianna Raab, 80-71.
Quincy Hayes earned an MVP honor for Auburn in Equitation over Fences as she defeated Amy Lang, 86-78. The Tigers' other point in the event came from Grace Socha who beat Laura Bostwick, 82-74.
In the Western arena, Auburn fell to NMSU, 5-3, after tying, 2-2, in Reining, but fell in Horsemanship, 3-1.
Auburn earned two points in Reining from Kristin Hansen's 68-62.5 win over Stefanie Story and MVP Indy Roper's win over Tara Wilson.
In Horsemanship, the Tigers' lone point came from Roper, after she defeated Lauren DeVoe, 72-71.
Despite a close loss, Auburn rebounded against Fresno State to take the decisive 11-5 victory.
In Hunt Seat, the Tigers won 6-2, after tying 2-2 in Equitation on the Flat and picking up all four points in Equitation over Fences.
Socha led in Equitation on the Flat with an 84-78 win over Hannah Fleming and earning an MVP, while Lin defeated Lanie Madrazo, 77-70.
In Equitation over Fences, Lin took home the MVP honor after beating Nicole Roworth, 83-40. Jennifer Waxman defeated Holly Elsbernd, 80-77, Piper Donnelly earned a win over Kara Spicer, 75-70, and Socha defeated Hilary West, 76-72.
The Tigers won Western, 5-3, behind a 2-2 tie in Horsemanship and a 3-1 win in Reining.
MVP Stephanie Rucci led in Horsemanship with a 73.5-70.5 win over Lauren Crivelli, while Roper picked up her third of four points in two meets as she defeated Christa Beezley, 69.5-67.5.
In Reining, Roper took home her second MVP of the day and fourth and final point, defeating Beezley, 71.5-67.5. Hansen defeated Crivelli, 71-65, while Cheyenne Cracraft beat Kirsten McKillop, 66-60.
Auburn returns to action at the Southern Equestrian Championships on March 30-31, in Athens, Ga.