OCALA, Fla. - The No. 2 Auburn equestrian team fell short on the first day of the NCEA Championship, falling to No. 7 SMU in the quarterfinals Thursday afternoon, 12-8.
"It was just a tough day," head coach Greg Williams said. "I am proud of how these girls have ridden this year. We're just disappointed right now. We didn't ride like we have. I feel like we came out rusty. SMU came battling back after the half and I give a lot of credit to them."
The Tigers put together a 6-4 lead after Fences and Horsemanship, seeing a 3-2 mark in both events.
Senior Emma Kurtz, junior Ava Stearns and freshman Sophee Steckbeck picked up wins in Fences for the squad. Kurtz kicked things off with a 253-240 win with Stearns following with a 254-246 victory. Steckbeck capped the event with a 267-252 win for the Tigers.
Horsemanship saw three victories from upperclassmen as fifth years Taylor Searles and Deanna Green as well as junior Olivia Tordoff finished with wins. Tordoff opened up with 214.5 for the team point and Green followed with a 220.5-204 victory. Searles capped Auburn scoring in the event with a 224.5-221.5 edge over Lily Anderson.
Auburn's final two points came in Flat with Kurtz and Stearns earning wins. Kurtz scored 239.5 points to take her match and Stearns edged Madi Johnson, 232-231.5.
SMU swept Reining to close out the day.
Auburn concluded the season as the 2022 SEC champion, going 10-4 overall.
#7 SMU 12, #2 AUBURN 8
FENCES
Emma Kurtz (AU) def. Elli Yeagar (SMU), 253-407
Taylor Madden (SMU) def. Ellie Ferrigno (AU), 241.5-224
Ava Stearns (AU) def. Alex Pielet (SMU), 254-246
Emma Jolly (SMU) def. Mary-Grace Segars (AU), 221.5-198
Sophee Steckbeck (AU) def. Devin Seek (SMU), 267-252
FLAT
Miranda Seade (SMU) def. Ellie Ferrigno (AU), 233.5-223
Emma Kurtz (AU) def. Hensley Humphries (SMU), 239.5-230.5
Ava Stearns (AU) def. Madi Johnson (SMU), 232-231.5
Madigan Eppink (SMU) def. Hellen Ulrich (AU), 238-230
Taylor Madden (SMU) def. Sophee Steckbeck (AU), 247-227.5
HORSEMANSHIP
Olivia Tordoff (AU) def. Payton Neiberger (SMU), 214- 200
Deanna Green (AU) def. Mallory Vroegh (SMU), 220.5-204
Taylor Searles (AU) def. Lily Anderson (SMU), 224.5-221
Megan Waldrom (SMU) def. Madison Parduhn (AU), 220.5-217
Nya Kearns (SMU) def. Maddie Spak (AU), 228-221
REINING
Dani Latimer (SMU) def. Isabella Tesmer (AU), 216.5-220.5
Chalyce Head (SMU) def. Taylor Searles (AU), 214-211.5
Taylor Zimmerman (SMU) def. Deanna Green (AU), 198-189.5
Jill Pfisthner (SMU)* def. Boo Kammer (AU), 213-208.5
Maria Richards (SMU) def. Terri-June Granger (AU), 208.5-207.5
No. 2 Auburn falls to No. 7 SMU in NCEA quarterfinal
