AUBURN, Ala. – The No. 1 Auburn equestrian team put together a dominating performance Friday afternoon, downing No. 2 Texas A&M at the Auburn University Equestrian Center, 14-5. The Tigers improved to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the Southeastern Conference.
"This was a great, well-balanced effort today," head coach Greg Williams said. "My hat is off to Coach Jessica Braswell and Coach Mary Meneely. The way they have this team riding is absolutely phenomenal and I'm really proud of how this team has risen up to the challenge each and every week. This is a perfect way to end our home stretch in the fall and get ready for our meet on the road next week."
The Tigers kicked off the day with a 7-2 lead heading into intermission after solid rides in Equitation on the Flat and Horsemanship.
In Flat, sophomore Taylor St. Jacques got things started with a 20-point victory over Caroline Boyle, 85-65. The win gave the Glen Allen, Va., product her first Most Outstanding Performer honor of the year.
Seniors Ashton Alexander, Caitlin Boyle and Hayley Iannotti followed with three-straight victories in the event for Auburn. Alexander remained undefeated in Flat with an 81-77 win, while Boyle scored 82 points in her victory over Rebekah Chenelle. Iannotti capped scoring in the event for the Tigers with an 87-82 win, improving to 4-0 on the season.
The Horsemanship corps picked up three wins starting with junior Kara Kaufmann's 74.5-72 victory over Katie Conklin. Sophomore Taylor Searles tied her season-best with a 75.5, topping Ashley Davidson's 73. Senior Lauren Diaz earned her second MOP honor of the year with 75.5 points and the win to remain undefeated in the event, while classmate Kelsey Jung tied Alex Albright, 74.5-74.5, to also stay unbeaten for the Tigers.
Highlighting the second half of the meet was the Equitation Over Fences performance as Auburn swept the Aggies. Senior Alex Ladove kicked things off with a 79-60 win, while Iannotti followed with 89 points in her victory to stay undefeated. Boyle edged Caroline Dance, 84-82, before Alexander scored a season-high 90 points to remain unbeaten and earn her first MOP of the season in the event. St. Jacques capped the winning with 82 points to best Grace Boston.
A pair of seniors in Blair McFarlin and Ali Fratessa picked up victories in Reining for the Tigers. McFarlin bested her opponent with a 72-68.5 win, while Fratessa's 73.5 points in her win was a season best score for the Wheelock, Texas, native.
The Tigers cap the fall portion of the 2018-19 season at No. 7 Georgia Friday, Nov. 9, in Bishop, Ga.
#1 AUBURN , #2 TEXAS A&M
Equitation Over Fences
Alex Ladove (AU) def. Haley Redifer (TAMU), 79-60
Hayley Iannotti (AU) def. Rebekah Chenelle (TAMU), 89-75
Caitlin Boyle (AU) def. Caroline Dance (TAMU), 84-82
Ashton Alexander (AU)* def. Hayden Stewart (TAMU), 90-86
Taylor St. Jacques (AU) def. Grace Boston (TAMU), 82-75
Equitation on the Flat
Taylor St. Jacques (AU)* def. Caroline Boyle (TAMU), 85-65
Ashton Alexander (AU) def. Brianna Peddicord (TAMU), 81-77
Caitlin Boyle (AU) def. Rebekah Chenelle (TAMU), 82-80
Hayley Iannotti (AU) def. Caroline Dance (TAMU), 87-82
Rhian Murphy (TAMU) def. Becky Kozma (AU), 84-72
Horsemanship
Kara Kaufmann (AU) def. Katie Conkin (TAMU), 74.5-72
Sarah Orsak (TAMU) def. Deanna Green (AU), 73.5-71
Taylor Searles (AU) def. Ashley Davidson (TAMU), 75.5-73
Lauren Diaz (AU)* def. Kyra Bouma (TAMU0, 75.5-74.5
Kelsey Jung (AU) tied Alex Albright (TAMU), 74.5-74.5
Reining
Darby Garnder (TAMU) def. Deanna Green (AU), 73-72
Blair McFarlin (AU) def. Kalee McCann (TAMU), 72-68.5
Ali Fratessa (AU) def. Ashton Dunkel (TAMU), 73.5-72
Courtney Yohey (TAMU) def. Terri-June Granger (AU), 73-71
Marissa Harrell (TAMU) def. Betsy Brown (AU), 74.5-73.5
