Feb. 11, 2017
AUBURN, Ala. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬"The No. 3 Auburn equestrian team opened the spring season with a 10-8 loss to No. 7 Georgia Saturday at the Auburn University Horse Center. The loss moves the Tigers to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in Southeastern Conference competition.
"This team is very young that hasn't lost very much," head coach Greg Williams said. "They're starting to see that it matters how they approach each day. This is an educational process for a young team. You can overcome mistakes and ride through it to win the point and a day like today will hopefully show this young team that."
Sophomore Alex Ladove got things started in Equitation Over Fences, picking up her first win of the season with an 86-74 victory over Sydney Hutchins. Senior Ashley Foster earned her team-leading seventh win in the event, defeating Emma Mandarino, 78-65. Sophomore Ashton Alexander edged Georgia's Maddy Darst, 77-76.
Auburn picked up two points in Horsemanship to give the Tigers a 5-4 advantage at intermission. Freshman Kara Kaufmann earned her sixth victory of the year, topping Payton Anderson, 72-70, to remain undefeated in the event. Sophomore Lauren Diaz picked up 73 points in her win over Sammie Johnson to close out the first half of the day.
The Bulldogs edged the Tigers in the second half of competition, going 6-3 overall to win the meet in the final two events to take the meet.
A pair of Tigers picked up victories in Equitation on the Flat. Senior Tory Hoft earned her seventh win of the year with a season-best 89 points, besting Liza Finsness's 85. Sophomore Hayley Iannotti edged Darst to close out the event, 75-74.
Junior Alexa Rivard took a win in Reining for Auburn, besting Linsey Cheek 69-66.5. Sophomore Blair McFarlin equaled her career high in the event as she tied Grayson Stroud with 72.5 points.
The Tigers close out their regular season home schedule next weekend, hosting UT-Martin. Auburn and the Skyhawks are set to face off at 1 p.m CT, Feb. 18, at the AU Horse Center. The Tigers will honor their six seniors during the meet.
#7 GEORGIA 10, #3 AUBURN 8
Equitation on the Flat
Meg O'Mara (UGA) def. Ashton Alexander (AU), 92-88
Addyson Cord (UGA) def. Caitlin Boyle (AU), 69-67
Tory Hoft (AU) def. Liza Finsness (UGA), 89-85
Sydney Hutchins (UGA) def. Ashley Foster (AU), 76-72
Hayley Iannotti (AU) def. Maddy Darst (UGA), 75-74
Equitation Over Fences
Alex Ladove (AU) def. Sydney Hutchins (UGA), 86-74
Meg O'Mara (UGA) def. Caitlin Boyle (AU), 80-57
Ashley Foster (AU) def. Emma Mandarino (UGA), 78-65
Ashton Alexander (AU) def. Maddy Darst (UGA), 77-76
Liza Finsness (UGA) def. Hayley Iannotti (AU), 88-79
Horsemanship
Bailey Anderson (UGA) def. Megan Rauh (AU), 72-69.5
Hannah Stephens (AU) tied Madison Anger (UGA), 73-73
Kara Kaufmann (AU) def. Payton Anderson (UGA), 72-70
Graysen Stroud (UGA) def. Kelsey Jung (AU), 71-63
Lauren Diaz (AU) def. Sammie Johnson (UGA), 73-70.5
Reining
Alexa Rivard (AU) def. Linsey Cheek (UGA), 69-66.5
Kyndall Harper (UGA) def. Betsy Brown (AU), 68-66.5
Claudia Spreng (UGA) def. Ali Fratessa (AU), 69.5-67.5
Blair McFarlin (AU) tied Grayson Stroud (UGA), 72.5-72.5
Charley Thiel (UGA) def. Kara Kaufmann (AU), 71.5-70
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