Oct. 4, 2012
BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. -
The No. 3 Auburn equestrian team fell, 10-9, to No. 2 South Carolina Thursday in the Tigers' first road meet of the season. Auburn falls to 1-1, while South Carolina improves to 2-0.
"We had three rides that we lost by half a point," Auburn head coach Greg Williams said. "If we could have gained a half a point and picked up one more tie, we would have won the meet.
"I feel really good about our team this year and think by spring, we may be a championship caliber team. We won the MOP awards in all four events, so I am very proud of our girls for sweeping those awards."
Auburn took the Most Outstanding Player award in each of the four disciplines as Indy Roper picked up the title in Western horsemanship and reining, while Jennifer Waxman and Lindsay Portela earned the award in equitation over fences and on the flat, respectively.
The Tigers fell, 3-2, in reining, but earned points from Julianna Cook and Roper, as Cook defeated Amanda Pope, 65-64, and Roper defeated Melissa Mull, 74-71.5.
In equitation over fences, Auburn held the Gamecocks to a 2-2 tie behind strong rides from Waxman and freshman Claire Connaghan. Waxman defeated Katherine Schmidt, 86-84, and Connaghan picked up the point with an 80-78 win over Kimberly McCormack.
The Tigers continued to pressure South Carolina in the second half of competition and won horsemanship, 3-2, but fell, 3-2, in equitation on the flat.
In horsemanship, Roper defeated Alison Ceresani, 78.5-77, Stephanie Rucci defeated Katie Kopf 76-0, and Katie Buff earned Auburn's third point with a 71.5-67 win over Kelsey Urban.
In equitation on the flat, Portela defeated Schmidt, 82-80, while Anna Becker beat Alexa Anthony, 79-69.
Auburn returns to action Saturday, Oct. 13, as the Tigers host No. 4 Texas A&M at 10 a.m. CT at the Auburn University Horse Center.