AUBURN, Ala. – Senior Lauren Diaz and sophomore Taylor St. Jacques of the No. 1 Auburn equestrian team (5-0, 3-0 SEC) were named November SEC Riders of the Month, the league office announced Tuesday.
Diaz picked up the monthly honor for her showings in Horsemanship. The award is her first of the season as well as the first monthly recognition of her career.
The Heath, Ohio, product finished the fall portion of the schedule with a perfect 5-0-0 mark in Horsemanship, going 2-0-0 in the event during November with one Most Outstanding Performer recognition. She guided the Horsemanship crew to a 7-2-1 record over two meets against SEC opponents.
Diaz, who scored a 75 or better in both meets in November, kicked off the month with a 75.5-74.5 victory against then-No. 2 Texas A&M, Nov. 2. She picked up her second MOP honor of the season with her ride and her score was a season best.
She capped the month with a two-point victory at then-No. 7 Georgia, Nov. 9, topping her opponent with a 75-73 victory. With her help, the Tigers went 4-1-0 against the Bulldogs on the road.
Sophomore Taylor St. Jacques was recognized for her performances in Equitation on the Flat. The honor goes with her NCEA November Rider of the Month accolade announced earlier.
The Glen Allen, Va., product went 2-0 in the event for the Tigers, helping Auburn top two SEC opponents and picking up two MOPs on the way.
She kicked things off with an 85-65 win over her opponent in Auburn's victory vs. then-No. 2 Texas A&M. Her 20-point margin of victory was the most by any student-athlete that day and it awarded her the first MOP honor for her this season in the event.
St. Jacques followed with an 89-87 win in Auburn's big road victory at then-No. 7 Georgia. She was once again named MOP for the event.
St. Jacques finished the first half of the season with a 3-0-1 mark in Flat for Auburn.
The top-ranked Tigers will continue with the second portion of the season when they travel to the West Coast, Feb. 1-2. The squad opens with an away meet at Fresno State before facing Delaware State in a neutral-site contest in Fresno.
