BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. – The No. 3 Auburn equestrian team traveled to South Carolina for its first Southeastern Conference match up this spring and downed the Gamecocks, 14-4, at One Wood Farm.
"The upperclassmen wanted to start things off strong and ramped up the team's efforts this week as we build towards the postseason," head coach Greg Williams said. "Coaches Jessica Braswell and Mary Meneely have this team locked down on the fast track. It was a great team win on the road and we're looking forward to the rest of the spring."
The Tigers (6-2, 3-1 SEC) took home three of four Most Outstanding Performer honors. Fifth year Helen Ulrich was awarded her first MOP in Flat this season, while senior Emma Kurtz earned her third in Fences this year. Junior Olivia Tordoff won her fifth Horsemanship MOP and the Powell, Ohio, product has won five of the last six MOPs in the event.
Auburn's Western corps had a great day of competition as Reining and Horsemanship combined for an 8-1-1 mark on the day.
Reining kicked things off with a 4-1-0 finish over the Gamecocks. Fifth year Taylor Searles captured a 72-71 victory to start off before the Gamecocks took the next match up. Fifth year Terri-June Granger and junior Boo Kammerer scored back-to-back 72s to pick up wins and sophomore Isabella Tesmer capped the event with a 67.5-0 victory.
Flat led off action on the Jumping Seat side, going 3-1-1 on the day. Ulrich started with her MOP ride, scoring an 87 to lead all riders in the event. Sophomore Ellie Ferrigno followed with a 76-76 tie and freshman Sophee Steckbeck picked up an 85-71 victory over Caroline Bald. Junior Ava Stearns earned Auburn's third point in the event with an 82-77 win.
Following intermission, Horsemanship put together a 4-0-1 mark for the squad. Searles once again led off with a 72-71.5 edge over her opponent to improve to 8-0-0 in the event this season. Sophomore Madison Parduhn scored 73 points in her win and junior Maddie Spak tied her opponent with a 74.5. Fifth year Deanna Green returned to competition with a 73-71.5 win and Tordoff closed things out with her 75-66 MOP victory.
Fences went 3-2-0 vs. the Gamecocks and were led by Kurtz's 86-79 win for MOP. Ferrigno edged Madeline Schaefer, 84-83, and Stearns bested her opponent, 79-77.
Auburn returns to the Plains next weekend, hosting Ole Miss and Delaware State at the Auburn University Equestrian Center. After Ole Miss and DSU face off in the morning, the Tigers and the Rebels will go head-to-head Friday, Feb. 11, in a Jumping Seat only contest at 2:30 p.m. CT. Auburn and Delaware State will compete Saturday, Feb. 12, at 11 a.m. CT in a full event meet.
#3 AUBURN 14, SOUTH CAROLINA 4
FENCES
Nina Columbia (SC) def. Meghan Knapic (AU), 71-56
Emma Kurtz (AU)* def. Jordan Allen (SC), 86-79
Ellie Ferrigno (AU) def. Madeline Schaefer (SC), 84-83
Ava Stearns (AU) def. Alexa Aureliano (SC), 79-77
Trinity Hammerschmidt (SC) def. Sophee Steckbeck (AU), 74-72
FLAT
Helen Ulrich (AU)* def. Trinity Hammerschmidt (SC), 87-84
Ellie Ferrigno (AU) tied Madeline Schaefer (SC), 76-76
Sophee Steckbeck (AU) def. Caroline Bald (SC), 85-71
Ava Stearns (AU) def. Alice Kass (SC), 82-77
Maya Clarkson (SC) def. Emma Kurtz (AU), 70-67
HORSEMANSHIP
Taylor Searles (AU) def. Kiersten Beckner (SC), 72-71.5
Madison Parduhn (AU) def. Cora Wyers (SC), 73-66.5
Maddie Spak (AU) tied Kendie Herlocker (SC), 74.5-74.5
Deanna Green (AU) def. Sloane Vogt (SC), 73-71.5
Olivia Tordoff (AU)* def. Alexa Thorpe (SC), 75-66
REINING
Taylor Searles (AU) def. Emma Lane (SC), 72-71
Chloe VanStone (SC)* def. Deanna Green (AU), 72.5-70.5
Terri-June Granger (AU) def. Sloane Vogt (SC), 72-68.5
Boo Kammerer (AU) def. Emilia Reutimann (SC), 72-71
Isabella Tesmer (AU) def. Brianna Carter (SC), 67.5-0
