MARTIN, Tennessee – The No. 2 Auburn equestrian team earned another road win, besting No. 10 UT Martin, 11-9. The contest came down to the wire with the Tigers taking the final two points to come away unscathed and improve to 3-0 on the year.
"I'm really proud of our team today," head coach Jessica Braswell said. "Hats off to UT Martin. They rode really well and put on a great meet. We had to grind it out against them and that will only help us later in the season."
With a slight 8-7 edge after three events, the Reining corps needed three more points to secure the team victory.
Sophomore Caroline Buchanan led off with a 70-69.5 edge to remain unbeaten on the season and put the Tigers up 9-7. UT Martin followed with two-straight points to tie up the meet at 9-9.
Senior Isabella Tesmer needed to beat a 69 from her Skyhawk opponent and the Mount Orab, Ohio native came away with a 70 to win her point and secure her second MOP honor of the year. Sophomore Alexia Tordoff sealed the win with a 69-0 victory, giving Auburn its 11th point.
"We had a lot of big rides, but the biggest one was from Isabella (Tesmer)," Braswell said. "We needed to swing momentum back in Reining and she did that for us with a great ride. We are ready to get back to work and prepare for another big meet against Georgia next weekend."
The Fences corps kicked things off with another strong showing for the Tigers. After the Skyhawks took the first point, Auburn followed with four straight victories to finish the event with a 4-1 win.
Juniors Anna Marie Mayes, Sophee Steckbeck and Mary-Grace Segars led off with three big wins. Mayes bested her opponent by seven points with an 85, while Steckbeck edged hers, 84-83. Segars scored an 86 to win by 13. Senior Ellie Ferrigno capped the event with a big score, 89-78, winning MOP.
The Jumping Seat side earned two points in Flat after intermission, bookended by fifth year Ava Stearns and Segars. Stearns scored an 88 to win her point and Segars bested her opponent 86-82.
In Western competition, Horsemanship saw two freshmen pick up wins for the Tigers to start the meet. Sydney Swallom scored a career-high 75.5, securing the first win of her career. Classmate Brooke Jolstad also scored a career best, earning a 74 to pick up her first-career win.
Auburn returns home Friday, October 20 as the Tigers host rival and nationally-ranked Georgia. The two team will face off at 3 p.m. CT at the Auburn University Equestrian Center.
#2 AUBURN 11, #10 UT MARTIN 9
FENCES
Sydney Hott (UTM) def. Ava Stearns (AU), 88-86
Anna Marie Mayes (AU) def. Elizabeth Becker (UTM), 85-78
Sophee Steckbeck (AU) def. Kate Mills (UTM), 84-83
Mary-Grace Segars (AU) def. Gabby Adams (UTM), 86-73
Ellie Ferrigno (AU)* def. Haley Kane (UTM), 89-78
FLAT
Ava Stearns (AU) def. Bridget Vieau (UTM), 88-86
Sophia Sundem (UTM) def. Ellie Ferrigno (AU), 88-85
Haley Kane (UTM) def. Anna Marie Mayes (AU), 79-72
Sydney Hott (UTM) def. Sophee Steckbeck (AU), 86-83
Mary-Grace Segars (AU) def. Elizabeth Becker (UTM), 86-82
HORSEMANSHIP
Sydney Swallom (AU) def. Lexi Bailey (UTM), 75.5-72.5
Kate Davis (UTM) def. Madison Parduhn (AU), 73-71.5
Emma Schaefer (UTM) def. Alexia Tordoff (AU), 75.5-75
Brooke Jolstad (AU) def. Ava Newsom (UTM), 74-69.5
Mia McAfoos (UTM) def. Caroline Fredenburg (AU), 73.5-73
REINING
Caroline Buchanan (AU) def. Aubrey Malone (UTM), 70-69.5
Lexi Bailey (UTM) def. Kate Buchanan (AU), 69.5-58.5
Emma Schaefer (UTM) def. Olivia Marino (AU), 69-68
Isabella Tesmer (AU)* def. Kate Davis (UTM), 70-69
Alexia Tordoff (AU) def. Logan Putvinski (UTM), 69-0
