AUBURN, Ala. – The No. 6 Auburn equestrian team put on a dominating performance Saturday afternoon, defeating No. 8 UT Martin 14-6 at the Auburn University Equestrian Center.
"It was a great win today and we appreciate the Auburn fans for coming out even though it was cold and windy," head coach Jessica Braswell said. "We won all four events, which was huge for us. It was an overall great effort from the entire team and we're looking forward to continuing this momentum the rest of the season."
The Tigers (6-4) swept the Most Outstanding Performer honors, taking all four events. Freshman Avery Glynn was awarded in Fences, while senior Ellie Ferrigno took MOP in Flat. On the Western side, sophomore Caroline Fredenburg earned MOP in Horsemanship with classmate Alexia Tordoff taking the honor in Reining.
"Our overall team effort really started yesterday," Braswell said. "Both sides of the team really put in 100 percent effort, and it carried over into today. The whole team was in it from the very beginning, and we've talked a lot about helping your teammate win each point and they showed that effort today."
Reining and Flat kicked off the meet and the Tigers went into intermission with a 7-3 advantage over the Skyhawks, putting together a 4-1 showing in Reining and went 3-2 in Flat.
After the Skyhawks took the first point, senior Kate Buchanan notched a season-best 74 to win her match and was followed by Tordoff's MOP win as the Powell, Ohio product bested Logan Putvinski, 70-66. Senior Olivia Marino won her point, 66.5-65.5, and classmate Isabella Tesmer bested her opponent by 3.5 points with a 73.5.
Glynn led off Flat with an 86-81 victory before UT Martin won the next two points. Ferrigno's MOP ride earned her an 85-74 win and sophomore Anne Douglas Hamiter capped the event with an 80-78 victory over Sydney Hott.
The Fences corps followed with a 4-1 victory over the Skyhawks starting with an 88-80 win from Glynn, securing MOP. UT Martin took the next point, but junior Mary-Grace Segars followed with an 84-78 victory. Junior Sophee Steckbeck improved to 10-0-0 on the year with an 85-82 win and Ferrigno capped Fences with an 85-79 victory.
Horsemanship closed out the day with a 3-2 mark against UT Martin, seeing big scores from its riders. Freshman Alexis Potts scored a 75 to defeat Mia McAfoos at the start of the event. The Skyhawks won the next two match ups before Fredenburg's MOP performance gave her a 76.5-73.5 victory. Tordoff closed out the day with a 76.5-75 win.
Auburn takes a couple weeks off before returning to the Auburn University Equestrian Center on March 2. The Tigers will take on the SMU Mustangs at 11 a.m. CT and admission is free.
#6 AUBURN 14, #8 UT MARTIN 6
FENCES
Avery Glynn (AU)* def. Sydney Hott (UTM), 88-80
Kate Mills (UTM) def. Grace Pearson (AU), 83-81
Mary-Grace Segars (AU) def. Gabby Adams (UTM), 84-78
Sophee Steckbeck (AU) def. Haley Kane (UTM), 85-82
Ellie Ferrigno (AU) def. Elizabeth Becker (UTM), 85-79
FLAT
Avery Glynn (AU) def. Haley Kane (UTM), 86-81
Sophia Sundem (UTM) def. Charlotte McLaughlin (AU), 80-76
Bridget Vieau (UTM) def. Mary-Grace Segars (AU), 79-77
Ellie Ferrigno (AU)* def. Elizabeth Becker (UTM), 85-74
Anne Douglas Hamiter (AU) def. Sydney Hott (UTM), 80-78
HORSEMANSHIP
Alexis Potts (AU) def. Mia McAfoos (UTM), 75-73.5
Lexi Bailey (UTM) def. Sydney Swallom (AU), 75.5-69.5
Emma Schaefer (UTM) def. Brooke Jolstad (AU), 75.5-75
Caroline Fredenburg (AU)* def. Kate Davis (UTM), 76.5-73.5
Alexia Tordoff (AU) def. Ava Newsom (UTM), 76.5-75
REINING
Lexi Bailey (UTM) def. Caroline Buchanan (AU), 72-71.5
Kate Buchanan (AU) def. Emma Schaefer (UTM), 74-71
Alexia Tordoff (AU)* def. Logan Putvinski (UTM), 70-66
Olivia Marino (AU) def. Kate Davis (UTM), 66.5-65.5
Isabella Tesmer (AU) def. Aubrey Malone (UTM), 73.5-70