COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The No. 1 Auburn equestrian team used big performances Friday to take a 12-8 road win vs. No. 2 Texas A&M at the Hildebrand Equine Complex. The win moved the Tigers to 11-0 overall and 5-0 in the Southeastern Conference.
"Most good horsemen will say they often learn more from the horse they are riding than what they are teaching it," head coach Greg Williams said "Today, we had some horses expose what we need to be ready for and an education with a win is the best kind. Coaches Jessica Braswell and Mary Meneely are the two best position coaches in the country and will help the team add to their arsenal. I'm very proud of this team for not just getting a road win in the SEC, but also against the No. 2 group in the country."
Highlighting today's efforts was that of senior Lauren Diaz in Horsemanship. With her 76-75 win over Alex Albright, the Heath, Ohio, product became the winningest Tiger in the event. Her victory pushed her to 38 career wins, surpassing Griffin Knight's (2012-16) 37.
"I am thrilled to see Lauren get the career record today," Williams said. "I had Griffin on the phone for her when she finished her ride. Lauren has always looked at breaking the record as motivation for her arena work, but she has also wanted to become a great leader like Griffin. I'm so proud of her for obtaining both goals!"
The Horsemanship corps finished the day with a 3-2 mark as two sophomores in Taylor Searles and Deanna Green also picked up wins for the Tigers. Searles bested her opponent by four points, 72-68, while Green edged hers with a 74.5-74 victory.
The Equitation Over Fences group also went 3-2 in the first half of competition. Freshman Emma Kurtz earned her sixth win of the year with an 83-77 victory over Grace Boston. Sophomore Taylor St. Jacques followed with an 86-85 edge over her opponent before freshman McKayla Langmeier scored 84 points in her win. Langmeier moved to a perfect 8-0-0 in the event.
After intermission, the Equitation on the Flat crew put together yet another dominating performance, sweeping the Aggies and picking up its fourth sweep in the last five meets.
Langmeier moved to 9-0 on the year with an 87-75 victory, while senior Hayley Iannotti also earned her ninth victory of the year with an 87. Senior Ashton Alexander outscored her opponent, 86-83, before St. Jacques garnered MOP honors with a 92-82 victory. Senior Caitlin Boyle capped the event with an 85-74 win.
Sophomore Terri-June Granger picked up a victory in Reining for the Tigers. The Dothan, Ala., product earned MOP recognition for her 70-66.5 win over Ashton Dunkel.
The Tigers cap the Texas trip at No. 3 SMU, March 2, squaring off with the Mustangs at 10 a.m. CT in Dallas.
#1 AUBURN 12, #2 TEXAS A&M 8
Equitation Over Fences
Emma Kurtz (AU) def. Grace Boston (TAMU), 83-77
Rebekah Chenelle (TAMU) def. Caitlin Boyle (AU), 85-55
Taylor St. Jacques (AU) def. Brianna Sims (TAMU), 86-85
Haley Redifer (TAMU)* def. Ashton Alexander (AU), 91-82
McKayla Langmeier (AU) def. Caroline Dance (TAMU), 84-78
Equitation on the Flat
McKayla Langmeier (AU) def. Adele McKenna (TAMU), 87-75
Hayley Iannotti (AU) def. Caroline Boyle (TAMU), 87-74
Ashton Alexander (AU) def. Rebekah Chenelle (TAMU), 86-83
Taylor St. Jacques (AU)* def. Nicole Leonard (TAMU), 92-82
Caitlin Boyle (AU) def. Caroline Dance (TAMU), 85-74
Horsemanship
Taylor Searles (AU) def. Katie Conklin (TAMU), 72-68
Sarah Orsak (TAMU) def. Kara Kaufmann (AU), 76.5-73.5
Deanna Green (AU) def. Ashley SIoco (TAMU), 74.5-74
Ashley Davidson (TAMU) def. Kelsey Jung (AU), 76-67.5
Lauren Diaz (AU) def. Alex Albright (TAMU), 76-75
Reining
Marissa Harrell (TAMU) def. Blair McFarlin (AU), 70-67
Kalee McCann (TAMU) def. Betsy Brown (AU), 68.5-65.5
Darby Gardner (TAMU) def. Deanna Green (AU), 70.5-65.5
Terri-June Granger (AU)* def. Ashton Dunkel (TAMU), 70-66.5
Courtney Yohey (TAMU) def. Ali Fratessa (AU), 72-69.5