WACO, Texas – The No. 2 Auburn equestrian team capped the fall season with an exclamation point, besting No. 3 Baylor in Waco, 13-7, at the Baylor Equestrian Center. The win moved the Tigers to 5-2 on the season.
"We definitely rode better today," head coach Greg Williams said. "I still think we're riding a little soft for this time of year, but we're moving in the right direction. We're starting to feel the hunger and drive needed to get us back to the top and today was a good start."
Auburn swept the Most Outstanding Performer honors with senior Emma Kurtz leading the way. The Hudson, Ohio, product took both in Fences and Flat. Fifth-year senior Taylor Searles earned her second MOP in Reining this season, while junior Olivia Tordoff captured her fourth MOP of the year in Horsemanship.
The Tigers kicked off the meet with a 6-3 lead following Fences and Reining.
The Fences corps went 3-2 vs. the Bears, starting with the MOP win from Kurtz. She bested Savannah Hemby, 87-85. Senior Meghan Knapic followed with a 78-77 edge over Dominika Silvestri and junior Ava Stearns capped the event with an 80-79 win over Emma Fletcher.
Auburn went 3-2 in Reining, seeing big scores from the squad. Sophomore Isabella Tesmer earned a career-best 74 in her win and was followed by junior Boo Kammerer's 72.5-70.5 victory. Searles rode to a career-best 76 to defeat her opponent by three.
The Western crew returned to action following intermission and came away with a 4-1-0 mark over the Bears in Horsemanship. Sophomore Madison Parduhn totaled 75.5 points in her win to get things started. Tordoff rode to a 79.5-78 victory, earning MOP. Searles followed with another 79.5 to set another career high on the day. Junior Maddie Spak earned a career-best 78.5-74 win over Gabrielle Marty.
Three Tigers bested the Bears in Flat to close out the meet. Sophomore Ellie Ferrigno kicked things off with a 78-67.5 win over Caroline Fuller. Stearns put together a 79.5-70 victory and Kurtz capped the meet with her MOP win, 86-83.
The Tigers will take a couple months off before returning to competition in the spring. The squad opens 2022 with a Jumping Seat-only quad meet, hosting SUNY New Paltz, Sewanee and Dartmouth at the Auburn University Equestrian Center, Jan. 28-29.
#4 TEXAS A&M 10, #2 AUBURN 6
FENCES
Madeline Vorhies (BU) def. Sophee Steckbeck (AU), 84-80
Emma Kurtz (AU)* def. Savannah Hemby (BU), 87-85
Meghan Knapic (AU) def. Dominika Silvestri (BU), 78-77
Caroline Fuller (BU) def. Ellie Ferrigno (AU), 82-62
Ava Stearns (AU) def. Emma Fletcher (BU), 80-79
FLAT
Ellie Ferrigno (AU) def. Caroline Fuller (BU), 78-67.5
Savannah Hemby (BU) def. Anna Marie Mayes (AU), 75-74
Ava Stearns (AU) def. Dominika Silvestri (BU), 79.5-70
Emma Fletcher (BU) def. Sophee Steckbeck (AU), 77-73.5
Emma Kurtz (AU)* def. Madeline Vorhies (BU), 86-83
HORSEMANSHIP
Madison Parduhn (AU) def. Ellen Schrotenboer (BU), 75.5-74.5
Olivia Tordoff (AU)* def. Elsie Naruszewicz (BU), 79.5-78
Taylor Searles (AU) def. Alexis Rutledge (BU), 79.5-78
Maddie Spak (AU) def. Gabrielle Marty (BU), 78.5-74
Marley Mainwaring (BU) def. Jacqueline Frimodt (AU), 74.5-73.5
REINING
Madaline Callaway (BU) def. Terri-June Granger (AU), 72-70
Isabella Tesmer (AU) def. Andie Pratt (BU), 74-70.5
Boo Kammerer (AU) def. Jenna Meimerstorf (BU), 72.5-70.5
Taylor Searles (AU)* def. Daisy Kaufman (BU), 76-73
Shelby Clausen (BU) def. Kate Buchanan (AU), 72.5-69.5
No. 2 Tigers down No. 3 Baylor on the road, 13-7
