MARTIN, Tenn. – The No. 1 Auburn equestrian team kicked off the 2019-20 season with a commanding victory, downing No. 10 UT Martin, 17-1, on the road at the Ned McWherter Agricultural Center.
"The team rode incredibly well," head coach Greg Williams said. "I give them so much credit for putting in the hard work so that they can be this sharp for such an early season opener. I also want to give a lot of credit to coaches Jessica Braswell and Mary Meneely. These two are the best at getting riders prepared and proved it once again today."
Auburn riders took home all four Most Outstanding Performer honors on the day. Sophomore McKayla Langmeier earned both Hunter Seat awards, while freshmen Olivia Tordoff and Boo Kammerer were honored in Horsemanship and Reining, respectively.
The Tigers went into intermission with a 9-1 lead as Equitation Over Fences swept UT Martin, 5-0, and Horsemanship finished 4-1 over the Skyhawks.
Freshman Alex Pielet got the first win of her career in Fences with an 80-78 victory over Kelby Kane. Sophomore Emma Kurtz followed with an 81-68 win and junior Taylor St. Jacques edged her opponent, 79-74. Langmeier put up the highest score of the meet with an 88 for the win, while sophomore Meghan Knapic earned her first-career win with a 79-70 victory over Abbie Hopkins.
Auburn saw big numbers from its Horsemanship corps, starting with a 75.5 from senior Kara Kaufmann in her victory. Junior Deanna Green followed with a 72-69 win over Devon Woods before freshman Tordoff scored a huge 77 to take home the first win of her career. Junior Taylor Searles capped the event with a 76.5 as she bested Lucy Eier's 74.
Western continued its winning ways in Reining, sweeping the Skyhawks with a 5-0 mark. Freshman Kayla Shelnutt opened things up with a 67.5-64.5 victory, while Green's 69 points was enough for the win. Junior Terri-June Granger scored a 70 to earn another point for the Tigers before Kammerer put together her MOP ride with a 71. Freshman Jen Kasper closed out Reining with a 71-69 victory over Tess Baumann.
In Equitation on the Flat, Auburn captured three wins and two ties in the event. Senior Anna Claire Smith edged her opponent, 77-76, while St. Jacques earned a 76-74 win. Langmeier picked up another high score of the day with 83 points in her MOP victory. Senior Becky Kozma and Kurtz each tied their opponents.
The Tigers cap the weekend with big meet Friday, facing No. 4 Oklahoma State in Martin, Tenn., at 11 a.m. CT.
#1 AUBURN 17, #10 UT MARTIN 1
Equitation Over Fences
Alex Pielet (AU) def. Kelby Kane (UTM), 80-78
Emma Kurtz (AU) def. Brooke Pfeiffer (UTM), 81-68
Taylor St. Jacques (AU) def. Savannah Metheny (UTM), 79-74
McKayla Langmeier (AU) def. Tyler Anderson (UTM), 88-75
Meghan Knapic (AU) def. Abbie Hopkins (UTM), 79-70
Equitation on the Flat
Becky Kozma (AU) tied Abbie Hopkins (UTM), 75-75
Anna Claire Smith (AU) def. Quinn Reed (UTM), 77-76
Taylor St. Jacques (AU) def. Kelby Kane (UTM), 76-74
McKayla Langmeier (AU) def. Randi LaChance (UTM), 83-74
Emma Kurtz (AU) tied Kenzie Mezrah (UTM), 69-69
Horsemanship
Kara Kaufmann (AU) def. Tess Baumann (UTM), 75.5-74.5
Deanna Green (AU) def. Devon Woods (UTM), 72-69
Paige Benson (UTM) def. Ellie Becker (AU), 72-67
Olivia Tordoff (AU) def. Bailey Newlin (UTM), 77-74.5
Taylor Searles (AU) def. Lucy Eier (UTM), 76.5-74
Reining
Kayla Shelnutt (AU) def. Brooke Bradley (UTM), 67.5-64.5
Deanna Green (AU) def. Emily Zegiestowsky (UTM), 69-0
Terri-June Granger (AU) def. Hannah McDonald (UTM), 70-69
Boo Kammerer (AU) def. Noel Meadows (UTM), 71-68.5
Jen Kasper (AU) def. Tess Baumann (UTM), 71-69