AUBURN, Ala. – The No. 1 Auburn equestrian team returned to the Plains for the first time in 2020 this Saturday and downed No. 9 Baylor, 15-4, at the Auburn University Equestrian Center. The win moved the Tigers to 11-0 on the season.
"Our practices have been incredible this week," head coach Greg Williams said. "We're not really missing a stride and they've actually picked it up this spring. They continue to make improvements where they need it and we're really coming together as a unit."
The Tigers enjoyed success in both Western and Jumping Seat, earning all four MOP honors in front of a great crowd.
"Auburn fans are the best," Williams said. "Our team just rides better because they want to perform well for the fans. They make a big difference for us."
"It was really awesome being home this weekend," sophomore McKayla Langmeier added. "We want to thank everyone coming out today and we love seeing the support."
The Western corps went 9-1 on the day, starting with a sweep in Horsemanship.
Junior Taylor Searles kicked off the event with 78 points in her win as she secured MOP honors for the third time this season. Senior Kara Kaufmann followed with a 75-74.5 edge over Kacie Scharf and freshman Maddie Spak bested her opponent by seven with 74 points. Junior Deanna Green scored a 76.5 in her 10th win of the season and freshman Olivia Tordoff closed out the event with a 75.5-69.5 victory.
The Reining corps capped the day with a 4-1 victory over the Bears. After Baylor picked up the first point, freshman Kayla Shelnutt followed with a 72.5 to best her opponent. Junior Terri-June Granger secured her team-leading ninth win of the year with 73.5 points and freshman Jen Kasper extended her win streak to four with a 71.5-70 edge over Jenna Meimerstorf. Green earned MOP recognition with her 74.5-68 win.
Flat opened the day for Jumping Seat with three victories. Langmeier was awarded her fifth MOP of the year in the event with her 85-81 win. Classmate Emma Kurtz scored 82 points for her ride to take the team point and junior Taylor St. Jacques bested Caroline Weaver, 84-77. Freshman Ava Stearns and her opponent finished in a 91-91 tie.
The Tigers edged Baylor in Fences, 3-2, behind a big ride from St. Jacques. The Glen Allen, Va., product tied the team's best score of the season in the event with a 92 as she also took home MOP honors. Stearns opened Fences with an 86-83 victory and Langmeier bested her opponent, 87-81
Auburn takes a week off of competition before returning to the Auburn University Equestrian Center on Feb. 29. The Tigers face South Carolina in an SEC match up and the meet is set for 11 a.m. CT.
#1 AUBURN 15, #9 BAYLOR, 4
Fences
Ava Stearns (AU) def. Savannah Hemby (BU), 86-83
Madison Day (BU) def. Emma Kurtz (AU), 85-84
Taylor St. Jacques (AU)* def. Rachael Davis (BU), 92-80
McKayla Langmeier (AU) def. Gia Gulino (BU), 87-81
Caroline Fuller (BU) def. Meghan Knapic (AU), 86-80
Flat
McKayla Langmeier (AU)* def. Rachael Davis (BU), 85-81
Emma Kurtz (AU) def. Caroline Fuller (BU), 82-75
Madison Day (BU) def. Paige Matthies (AU), 83-72
Ava Stearns (AU) tied Gracie Thiel (BU), 91-91
Taylor St. Jacques (AU) def. Caroline Weaver (BU), 84-77
Horsemanship
Taylor Searles (AU)* def. Marley Mainwaring (BU), 78-72
Kara Kaufmann (AU) def. Kacie Scharf (BU), 75-74.5
Maddie Spak (AU) def. Katie Davis (BU) 74-67
Deanna Green (AU) def. Clara Johnson (BU), 76.5-69
Olivia Tordoff (AU) def. Gabrielle Marty (BU), 75.5-69.5
Reining
Maggie Cincotta (BU) def. Boo Kammerer (AU), 73.5-66
Kayla Shelnutt (AU) def. Maddy Bomba (BU), 72.5-67
Terri-June Granger (AU) def. Madaline Callaway (BU), 73.5-72
Jen Kasper (AU) def. Jenna Meimerstorf (BU), 71.5-70
Deanna Green (AU)* def. Georgia Smith (BU), 74.5-68