AUBURN, Ala. – The No. 4 Auburn equestrian team kicked off the busy weekend on the Plains with a 10-6 victory over No. 5 Texas A&M Friday afternoon at the Auburn University Equestrian Center.
"This team is good top to bottom, but we had some mental mistakes that you can't have against a good Texas A&M team," head coach Greg Williams said. "The Jumping Seat side rode lights out and we had some solid rides in Western. Overall, I'm proud with how they came together and got a win today.
"And we had a tremendous crowd out here today," Williams added. "The Auburn people make this so fun and make our team work harder and want to win more. With this kind of support, this team pushes like none other on all the other days. It's really special."
Auburn improved to 5-1 overall and 3-0 in the Southeastern Conference.
The Tigers saw MOP rides from senior Olivia Tordoff, junior Ellie Ferrigno and sophomore Mary-Grace Segars. Tordoff earned her third-straight MOP in Horsemanship, while Ferrigno picked up her second in Fences. It was also the second for Segars in Flat on the year.
The Flat corps put together a sweep of the Aggies, downing Texas A&M, 5-0-0. Fifth year Emma Kurtz led off with an 84-75 victory, while Segars followed with her MOP win, 90-84. Senior Ava Stearns downed Devan Thomas, 86-68, while sophomore Sophee Steckbeck bested Brooke Brombach, 84-66. Ferrigno finished the sweep with an 85-84 edge over Rylee Shufelt.
Auburn led 5-3 at intermission.
The Tigers put together a 3-2 mark vs. the Aggies in Fences to push Auburn ahead at 8-5. Kurtz scored 87 points in her win with Ferrigno following with a 90 for MOP. Stearns edged Devon Thomas, 86-84, to remain undefeated in the event.
Horsemanship saw big rides in the second half of the meet to close out the day. Senior Maddie Spak bested Ella Petak, 74.5-73.5, to improve to 6-0-0 on the year. Junior Madison Parduhn picked up a key tie, 74.5-74.5, and Olivia Tordoff secured MOP, 76.5-72.5. Her sister and freshman Alexia Tordoff finished the night with a 72-72 draw.
Juniors Isabella Tesmer and Kate Buchanan each picked up ties in Reining in the first half for the Tigers, scoring a 71 and a 70.5, respectively.
Auburn closes out the fall portion of the schedule next week, hosting Bridgewater and defending national champion Oklahoma State. The Tigers and Bridgewater will compete in a jumping seat-only contest on November 17 at 11 a.m. CT. Auburn and the Cowgirls will go head-to-head the following day, November 18, at 3 p.m. CT.
#4 AUBURN 10, #5 TEXAS A&M 6
FENCES
Emma Kurtz (AU) def. Brooke Brombach (TAMU), 87-72
Ellie Ferrigno (AU) def. Morgan Rosia (TAMU), 90-30
Ava Stearns (AU) def. Devon Thomas (TAMU), 86-84
Alexa Leong (TAMU) def. Mary-Grace Segars (AU), 82-81
Haley Redifer (TAMU) def. Sophee Steckbeck (TAMU), 86-84
FLAT
Emma Kurtz (AU) def. Maggie Nealon (TAMU), 84-75
Mary-Grace Segars (AU) def. Devon Thomas (TAMU), 90-84
Ava Stearns (AU) def. Devan Thomas (TAMU), 86-68
Sophee Steckbeck (AU) def. Brooke Brombach (TAMU), 85-66
Ellie Ferrigno (AU) def. Rylee Shufelt (TAMU), 85-84
HORSEMANSHIP
Maddie Spak (AU) def. Ella Petak (TAMU), 74.5-73.5
Cori Cansdale (TAMU) def. Caroline Fredenburg (AU), 73-67
Madison Parduhn (AU) tied Alexis Robinson (TAMU), 74.5-74.5
Olivia Tordoff (AU) def. Hanna Olaussen (TAMU), 76.5-72.5
Alexia Tordoff (AU) tied Ellie Gerbrandt (TAMU), 72-72
REINING
Isabella Tesmer (AU) tied Malena Lopez (TAMU), 71-71
Lisa Bricker (TAMU)* def. Caroline Buchanan (AU), 71.5-67
Lauren Hanson (TAMU) def. Alexia Tordoff (AU), 65-0
Ariana Gray (TAMU) def. Boo Kammerer (AU), 62-59.5
Kate Buchanan (AU) tied Emmy Lu Marsh (TAMU), 70.5-70.5
