Sept. 22, 2017
MARTIN, Tenn. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" The No. 3 Auburn equestrian team opened its 2017-18 campaign with a 13-7 victory over UT Martin Friday at the Ned McWherter Agricultural Complex.
"I'm really proud of the way the team performed today and everyone rode really well for the most part," head coach Greg Williams said. "The mistakes made are easy fixes so overall, we're looking really good. We really enjoy starting out on the road because it gets the team together away from Auburn and I really like our team chemistry this year."
Auburn (1-0) swept the Most Outstanding Performer selections ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" Hayley Iannotti (Flat), Alex Ladove (Fences), Deanna Green (Horsemanship), Terri-June Granger (Reining).
"It's very rewarding to sweep the MOPs because it doesn't happen often and I'm really proud of all the performances we had today," Williams said.
The Tigers started the day with a 7-3 lead after successful showings in Horsemanship and Equitation Over Fences. Overall, the Western group put together a solid performance, coming away with an 8-2 mark on the day.
Auburn's Horsemanship corps went 4-1 on the day as freshman Deanna Green opened things up with 76.5 points in her first career win. Redshirt junior Kelsey Jung outscored her opponent by 6.5 points, scoring a 71 in her victory. Junior Lauren Diaz edged Tess Baumann, 73-72, and sophomore Kara Kaufmann earned 76 points on her winning ride to close out the event.
A trio of juniors picked up team points in Equitation Over Fences. Iannotti had a 73-71 win over Lindsay Anderson, while Ladove scored a team-best 87 points in her victory. Classmate Caitlin Boyle finished the event with an 83-80 win over Monika Zoromski.
The Western crew continued to excel for Auburn as Reining finished 4-1. A pair of freshmen picked up big wins with Savannah Ostner scoring 69.5 points and Granger finishing with a team-high 73. Senior Alexa Rivard topped Megan Aiosa, 67.5-66, and junior Betsy Brown finished with 72 points in her win over Noel Meadows.
The Tigers got a pair of points in Equitation on the Flat, coming from Boyle and Iannotti. Boyle topped Abbie Hopkins by a point, 59-58, while Iannotti bested Sydney Lintner, 77-75.
Auburn hosts Alabama at the Auburn University Horse Center in a hunt seat-only exhibition meet. The Tigers and the Crimson Tide will face off at 3 p.m., Sept. 29.
#3 AUBURN 13, UT MARTIN 7
Equitation on the Flat
Monika Zoromski (UTM) def. Caitlin Creel (AU), 67-65
Caitlin Boyle (AU) def. Abbie Hopkins (UTM), 59-58
Hayley Iannotti (AU)* def. Sydney Lintner (UTM), 77-75
Claire Ottinger (UTM) def. Ashton Alexander (AU), 77-75
Randi LaChance (UTM) def. Becky Kozma (AU), 67-65
Equitation Over Fences
Quinn Reed (UTM) def. Ashton Alexander (AU) 74-68
Hayley Iannotti (AU) def. Lindsay Anderson (UTM) 73-71
Alex Ladove (AU)* def. Abbie Hopkins (UTM), 87-78
Randi LaChance (UTM) def. Caitlin Creel (UTM), 73-71
Caitlin Boyle (AU) def. Monika Zoromski (UTM), 83-80
Horsemanship
Deanna Green (AU)* def. Jade Bleskey (UTM), 76.5-75
Lucy Eier (UTM) def. Drew Rogers (AU), 72-71.5
Kelsey Jung (AU) def. Bobbie Piddock (UTM), 71-64.5
Lauren Diaz (AU) def. Tess Baumann (UTM) 73-72
Kara Kaufmann (AU) def. Devon Woods (UTM), 76-71.5
Reining
Savannah Ostner (AU) def. Tess Baumann (UTM), 69.5-0
Terri-June Granger (AU)* def. Bobbie Piddock (UTM), 73-69.5
Alexa Rivard (AU) def. Megan Aiosa (UTM) 67.5-66
Betsy Brown (AU) def. Noel Meadows (UTM), 72-69
Madeline Williams (UTM) def. Blair McFarlin (AU), 69.5-66.5
For the latest on Auburn equestrian, follow @AuburnEQ on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AuburnEQ.