DALLAS – The No. 1 Auburn equestrian team faced a tough test at No. 3 SMU to cap its road weekend in Texas, coming away with a tight 10-8 win at the Dallas Equestrian Center. The win moved the Tigers to 12-0 on the year.
"That was too close for comfort," head coach Greg Williams said. "I'm very proud of our team and coming out on top in three events and getting three Most Outstanding Performer awards. SMU is a great team and is well coached so they certainly made it a battle today."
Auburn held a 9-5 advantage heading into Reining and the Mustangs took the first three matches to cut the AU lead by one at 9-8. A pair of seniors put up solid rides at the end and helped the Tigers hold for the win, starting with Blair McFarlin. The Franklin, Tenn., product needed to beat Aubrey Alderman's 72 and she put together an outstanding ride to earn a 72.5, sealing the Tiger victory. Senior Ali Fratessa also held off another point for SMU, tying her opponent, 70-70.
The Tigers kicked off the day with a 4-1 victory in Equitation Over Fences. Senior Caitlin Boyle opened up the event with an 86-80 win over Kelsie Brittan to take home MOP honors before classmate Hayley Iannotti topped Nora Gray, 85-81. Freshman Emma Kurtz followed with a two-point victory and the event was capped by an 83-77 win for sophomore Taylor St. Jacques.
Horsemanship followed and went 2-2 vs. the Mustangs. Senior Lauren Diaz continued her big weekend with 74.5 points in her win, upping her season total to 11. She added another MOP to her already outstanding season, upping her total to six this year. Classmate Kelsey Jung earned her ninth victory of the year with 73 points and sophomore Taylor Searles finished the event with a 72.5-72.5 tie.
Equitation on the Flat picked up three points to push Auburn ahead at 9-5. Freshman McKayla Langmeier obtained her undefeated mark in the event with an 86-77 victory and earned MOP on the way. Senior Ashton Alexander put together another 86 points for the win, while Boyle put an end to her perfect day, scoring 88 points to top her opponent.
The Tigers cap the regular season at home, hosting rival and nationally-ranked Georgia at the Auburn University Equestrian Center. Auburn and the Bulldogs face off March 8 at 3 p.m. CT and the squad will honor 15 seniors during the meet.
#1 AUBURN 10, #3 SMU 8
Equitation Over Fences
Caitlin Boyle (AU)* def. Kelsie Brittan (SMU), 86-80
Hayley Iannotti (AU) def. Nora Gray (SMU) 85-81
Devin Seek (SMU) def. Ashton Alexander (AU), 86-83
Emma Kurtz (AU) def. Tali DeJong (SMU), 82-80
Taylor St. Jacques (AU) def. Vivian Yowan (SMU), 83-77
Equitation on the Flat
McKayla Langmeier (AU)* def. Haley Zimmerman (SMU), 86-77
Ashton Alexander (AU) def. Kirsten Ostling (SMU), 86-78
Nora Gray (SMU) def. Hayley Iannotti (AU), 83-79
Vivan Yowan (SMU) def. Emma Kurtz (AU), 84-74
Caitlin Boyle (AU) def. Mary Elizabeth Cordia (SMU), 88-77
Horsemanship
Lauren Diaz (AU)* def. Megan Waldron (SMU), 74.5-73
Michaela Dinger (SMU) def. Kara Kaufmann (AU), 72-71.5
Kelsey Jung (AU) def. Ashley Mauney (SMU), 73-72
Mallory Vroegh (SMU) def. Deanna Green (AU), 73.5-72.5
Taylor Searles (AU) tied Haylee Schoonover (SMU), 72.5-72.5
Reining
Jill Pfisthner (SMU) def. Betsy Brown (AU), 71-68.5
Madison Steed (SMU)* def. Terri-June Granger (AU), 73-72.5
Holly Lansidel (SMU) def. Deanna Green (AU), 71.5-70.5
Blair McFarlin (AU) def. Aubrey Alderman (SMU), 72.5-72
Ali Fratessa (AU) tied Savannah Ostner (SMU), 70-70