BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. – The No. 1 Auburn equestrian team opened its Southeastern Conference slate with a 14-6 victory at No. 7 South Carolina Friday at One Wood Farm. The win moved the Tigers to 4-0 overall with a 1-0 mark in league play.
"Today was an incredible day of riding for our team," head coach Greg Williams said. "Most of our losses came from freshmen that will continue to learn to defend in certain situations. I am very proud of the performance level that coaches Jessica Braswell and Mary Meneely are generating from these athletes."
The Tigers kicked things off with a 4-1 mark in Flat. Junior Taylor St. Jacques got things started with an MOP ride, topping Grady Lyman with 86 points. Sophomore Emma Kurtz followed with an 86-75 win, while senior Anna Claire Smith scored 82 points in her win. Sophomore McKayla Langmeier improved to 6-0-0 overall in the event with a 79-67 victory.
Reining followed with a 3-2 win to give Auburn a 7-3 advantage at the break. Juniors Deanna Green and Terri-June Granger remained undefeated as both picked up victories for the visiting team, scoring 70 and 71.5 points, respectively. Freshman Boo Kammerer closed out the event with a 69-68 win over Natalie Vargo.
After South Carolina picked up the first win in Fences, the Tigers rattled off four straight points starting withone from junior Ericka Koscinski, 82-78. Kurtz earned MOP recognition for her 86-78 win over Tyler Petrie before McKayla Langmeier scored 83 points in her win. Both Kurtz and Langmeier remain undefeated in the event. Sophomore Meghan Knapic capped things off with a 78-74 edge over Madison Sellman.
Horsemanship finished the day with another 3-2 victory, opening with another win for Green. She edged Cora Wyers, 73.5-73. Junior Taylor Searles scored a team-best 75 in the event for the victory and senior Kara Kaufmann followed 73.5 points to best Vargo's 71.
The Tigers return to the Auburn University Equestrian Center for a 3 p.m. CT contest with Ole Miss, Nov. 1. Auburn and the Rebels will compete in exhibition and admission is free.
#1 AUBURN 14, #7 SOUTH CAROLINA 6
Fences
Caroline Bald (SC) def. Taylor St. Jacques (AU), 84-83
Ericka Koscinski (AU) def. Grady Lyman (SC), 82-78
Emma Kurtz (AU)* def. Tyler Petrie (SC), 86-78
McKayla Langmeier (AU) def. Louisa Brackett (SC), 83-80
Meghan Knapic (AU) def. Madison Sellman (SC), 78-74
Flat
Taylor St. Jacques (AU)* def. Grady Lyman (SC), 86-83
Emma Kurtz (AU) def. Louisa Brackett (SC), 86-75
Kit Cunningham (SC) def. Becky Kozma (AU), 70-63
Anna Claire Smith (AU) def. Madison Sellman (SC), 82-80
McKayla Langmeier (AU) def. Trinity Hammerschmidt (SC), 79-67
Horsemanship
Deanna Green (AU) def. Cora Wyers (SC), 73.5-73
Taylor Searles (AU) def. Gabby Brassard (SC), 75-73
Kara Kaufmann (AU) def. Natalie Vargo (SC), 73.5-71
Quinn Brandt (SC) def. Olivia Tordoff (AU), 75-71
Sloane Vogt (SC)* def. Maddie Spak (AU), 75-0
Reining
Deanna Green (AU) def. McKenzie Duncan (SC), 70-69.5
Terri-June Granger (AU) def. Jordan Scott (SC), 71.5-71
Sloane Vogt (SC) def. Peyton Hall (AU), 71-66.5
Caroline Gute (SC)* def. Jen Kasper (AU), 74-64
Boo Kammerer (AU) def. Natalie Vargo (SC), 69-68