AUBURN, Ala. – The No. 3 Auburn equestrian team capped a busy weekend on the Plains with a 16-4 victory over No. 10 Delaware State Saturday afternoon at the Auburn University Equestrian Center. The win moved the squad to 7-2 overall.
"It was a beautiful weekend out here and it was fun to see all the fans come out and support this team," head coach Greg Williams said. "Our team was dedicated to accomplish the goals they set out for today and that's what they did. We know we have some things to clean up and that's what we'll focus on as we return to SEC competition in a couple weeks.
Auburn captured three Most Outstanding Performer honors against the Hornets. Junior Olivia Tordoff picked up her sixth MOP award in Horsemanship this season, improving to 7-2-0. The Powell, Ohio, product is enjoying a seven-match winning streak. Fifth year Helen Ulrich was awarded her second-straight MOP on Flat, while Steckbeck's on Fences was her third of the season.
The Horsemanship squad continued its dominant streak, sweeping the Hornets in the event, 5-0. Fifth year Taylor Searles led off with a 72.5-71.5 victory to improve to 9-0-0 on the year. Junior Maddie Spak scored a 74.5 to take a win and sophomore Madison Parduhn put together a 73.5-70.5 victory to move to 8-1-0 overall. Sophomore Jacqueline Frimodt earned a 74 in her win and Tordoff capped the event with her MOP victory.
Auburn earned three points in Fences in the first half, starting with a win from senior Emma Kurtz. Steckbeck scored 85 points for her MOP ride and sophomore Ellie Ferrigno topped Gabrielle Fournier with an 82.
The Flat corps picked up a sweep in the second half, going 5-0 vs. the Hornets. Steckbeck and Kurtz scored an 82.5 and an 89.5, respectively, in their wins. Ferrigno followed with an 83.5-80 edge over Maranda McCarthy. Ulrich put together a 92 on her MOP ride and junior Ava Stearns capped the day for Jumping Seat with an 88-76 victory.
Reining was led by three sophomores who all garnered points on the day. Kate Buchanan led off with a 71-69.5 victory, while Isabella Tesmer earned a 69-65 win over Amber Van Segbrook. Olivia Marino, of Birmingham, Alabama, edged her opponent, 68-67.
The Tigers will take a week off from competition before hosting No. 2 Texas A&M at the Auburn University Equestrian Center, Feb. 26. It will be the team's regular season home finale and the two Southeastern Conference foes will face off at 11 a.m. CT.
#3 AUBURN 16, #10 DELAWARE STATE 4
FENCES
Emma Kurtz (AU) def. Caitlyn Culbertson (DSU), 78-72
Jordan Wicklund (DSU) def. Meghan Knapic (AU), 81-76
Sophee Steckbeck (AU)* def. Victoria Croston (DSU), 85-83
Ellie Ferrigno (AU) def. Gabrielle Fournier (DSU), 82-40
Olivia Brown (DSU) def. Ava Stearns (AU), 86-82
FLAT
Sophee Steckbeck (AU) def. Christa Yeary (DSU), 82.5-72
Emma Kurtz (AU) def. Victoria Croston (DSU), 89.5-81.5
Ellie Ferrigno (AU) def. Maranda McCarthy (DSU), 83.5-80
Helen Ulrich (AU)* def. Jordan Wicklund (DSU), 91-81.5
Ava Stearns (AU) def. Gabrielle Fournier (DSU), 88-76
HORSEMANSHIP
Taylor Searles (AU) def. Ashley Grasso (DSU), 72.5-71.5
Maddie Spak (AU) def. Aniela Cortina (DSU), 74.5-66
Madison Parduhn (AU) def. Jenna Dawes (DSU), 73.5-70.5
Jacqueline Frimodt (AU) def. Casey Johnson (DSU), 74-72.5
Olivia Tordoff (AU)* def. Alexis Grogan (DSU), 76-73
REINING
Kate Buchanan (AU) def. Abbey Craver (DSU), 71-69.5
Grace Wilson (DSU) def. Terri-June Granger (AU), 69.5-68
Aidan Stetzer (DSU)* def. Boo Kammerer (AU), 73-71
Isabella Tesmer (AU) def. Amber Van Segbrook (DSU), 69-65
Olivia Marino (AU) def. Anastasia Brugger (DSU), 68-67
