Sept. 29, 2017
AUBURN, Ala. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" The No. 3 Auburn equestrian team opened its home slate Friday afternoon and topped Alabama in a Hunt Seat-only exhibition meet, 11-1, at the Auburn University Horse Center.
"I'm glad of the solid win today over an up-and-coming team like Alabama," head coach Greg Williams said. "We found more areas that we can work better on, but this coaching staff is the best at addressing problem and I'm confident in this team moving forward."
Tigers kicked off the day strong as the Equitation Over Fences crew went 5-1 over the Tide. Senior Caitlin Creel started with a 66-36 victory over Lindsey Cayce. Junior Alex Ladove picked up her second win of the season, 77-69, while freshman Gia Rinaldi earned 85 points on her first collegiate ride, topping Alexandra Gandara. Juniors Caitlin Boyle and Ashton Alexander capped the event with wins, finishing with 84 and 86 points, respectively.
Auburn closed out the day with a sweep in Equitation on the Flat, going 6-0 over Alabama. Rinaldi won her match 67-54, while Boyle edged Cayce, 65-62. Sophomore Becky Kozma bested Lauren Woods, 66-47, for the third point in the event. Alexander and Hayley Iannotti followed with 80+ points in their wins and Creel finished out the meet with a 78-66 victory over Kasey Emms.
Alexander earned MOP honors in Fences, while Iannotti picked up the nod in Flat for Auburn.
Auburn welcomes Ole Miss to town, Oct. 6, for another exhibition meet. The 3 p.m. CT contest will take place at AU Horse Center and all four events ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" Fences, Flat, Horsemanship, Reining ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" will be held.
#3 AUBURN 11, ALABAMA 1
Equitation on the Flat
Gia Rinaldi (AU) def. Lauren Neibauer (UA), 67-54
Caitlin Boyle (AU) def. Lindsey Cayce (UA), 65-62
Becky Kozma (AU) def. Lauren Woods (UA), 66-47
Ashton Alexander (AU) def. Seide Cimbura (UA), 84-50
Hayley Iannotti (AU)* def. Grace Grove (UA), 85-67
Caitlin Creel (AU) def. Kasey Emm (UA), 78-66
Equitation Over Fences
Caitlin Creel (AU) def. Lindsey Cayce (UA), 66-36
Alex Ladove (AU) def. Grace Grove (UA), 77-69
Lauren Neibauer (UA) def. Hayley Iannotti (AU), 76-71
Gia Rinaldi (AU) def. Alexandra Gandara (UA), 85-0
Caitlin Boyle (AU) def. Kasey Emm (UA), 84-79
Ashton Alexander (AU)* def. Katie San Fratello (UA), 86-78
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