AUBURN, Ala. – The No.1 Auburn equestrian team finished up the weekend with an impressive performance at the Auburn Equestrian Center, earning a commanding 20-0 win over South Dakota State Saturday. After two wins over the weekend, the Tigers improved to 9-0 on the season.
"This was better than yesterday's performance," head coach Greg Williams said. "The team has been riding at a very high level all year and we're continuing to clean up areas that could lose us points. I'm just impressed with how they continue to work hard for each other and I'm happy we were able to put a performance together today for our alumni that were here."
The Hunt Seat crew went a perfect 10-for-10, sweeping the Jackrabbits in both Equitation Over Fences and Equitation on the Flat. On the Western side, the Tigers finished the day with another sweep between Horsemanship and Reining.
The Tigers took all of the Most Outstanding Performer honors for the fourth-consecutive meet, making it 2-for-2 over the weekend. Picking up the awards on the Hunt Seat side were seniors Caitlin Boyle and Hayley Iannotti. Iannotti earned her second-consecutive MOP award in Flat. On the Western side, sophomore Deanna Green and senior Lauren Diaz received the recognition in Reining and Horsemanship, respectively.
The Fences crew hit the ground running with senior Ashton Alexander taking a comfortable win of 86-75 over Sydney House. Freshman Emma Kurtz followed with another win, 85-78, while Iannotti gave another point to the Tigers after a score of 84-75. The Wellington, Fla., product improved to 7-0-0 in the event this season. Boyle and sophomore Taylor St. Jacques closed down the event with a point each, winning 88-84 and 90-83, respectively.
In the Flat, Auburn continued its undefeated run in the event, extending its unbeaten streak to four-consecutive meets. Alexander collected the first point with an 89-74 win, while Boyle beat Claire Garduno, 87-81. Iannotti (8-0-1), Kurtz (5-0) and Langmeier (7-0) prolonged their unbeaten runs after wins of 90-87, 86-74 and 87-77.
On the Western side, the Tigers didn't slow down. The Horsemanship corps got their second-straight sweep thanks to an outstanding job by all five riders, who all received season highs in the event. Green opened by defeating her opponent 76.5-70 before Diaz picked up MOP honors after her impressive 77-74 victory over Jadyn Taylor. Junior Kara Kaufmann and senior Kelsey Jung got the job done as each scored 76.5 points. Sophomore Taylor Searles completed the sweep, edging Whitney Vesey, 77-75.5. The score marked the second-straight meet with a 77 for Searles.
Auburn finished the day with a strong performance in Reining. Sophomore Terri-June Granger got things started with a 71.5-67 victory. Senior Ali Fratessa followed with a close win of 72-71, extending her winning streak to six matches. Green collected her first MOP honors in the event thanks to her 71-70 victory over Catelyn Hall. Senior Blair McFarlin got the 19th point of the meet for the Tigers with a 72-70.5 triumph and classmate Betsy Brown completed the sweep with a score of 70-67.5.
The Tigers will face the nationally-ranked South Carolina on the road, Feb. 16, looking to stretch their unbeaten record and to take their fourth win in the Southeastern Conference.
#1 AUBURN 20, SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 0
Equitation Over Fences
Ashton Alexander (AU) def. Sydney House (SDSU), 85-75
Emma Kurtz (AU) def. Alexa Maiello (SDSU), 85-78
Hayley Iannotti (AU) def. Jessica Martinez (SDSU), 84-75
Caitlin Boyle (AU)** def. Claire Garduno (SDSU), 88-84
Taylor St. Jacques (AU) def. Jacey Chorlton (SDSU), 90-83
Equitation on the Flat
Ashton Alexander (AU) def. Sydney House (SDSU), 89-74
Emma Kurtz (AU) def. Jessica Martinez (SDSU), 86-74
McKayla Langmeier (AU) def. Alexa Maiello (SDSU), 87-77
Caitlin Boyle (AU) def. Claire Garduno (SDSU), 87-81
Hayley Iannotti (AU)** def. Jacey Chorlton (SDSU), 90-87
Horsemanship
Deanna Green (AU) def. Rylee Streit (SDSU), 76.5-70
Kara Kaufmann (AU) def. Jordan Gates (SDSU), 76.5-75
Kelsey Jung (AU) def. Kodi O'Boyle (SDSU), 76.5-72
Lauren Diaz (AU)** def. Jadyn Taylor (SDSU), 77-74
Taylor Searles (AU) def. Whitney Versey (SDSU), 77-75.5
Reining
Terri-June Granger (AU) def. Cassidy Gardiner (SDSU), 71.5-67
Ali Fratessa (AU) def. Rylee Streit (SDSU), 72-71
Deanna Green (AU)** def. Catelyn Hall (SDSU), 71-70
Blair McFarlin (AU) def. Jordan Gates (SDSU), 72-70.5
Betsy Brown (AU) def. Amelia Nelson (SDSU), 70-67.5