AUBURN, Ala. – The No. 1 Auburn equestrian team returned to action with a big showing Friday, taking down Minnesota Crookston at Auburn University Equestrian Center, 19-0.
“What a great way to start the spring portion of our season,” head coach Jessica Braswell said. “Shut outs don’t happen often in this sport so I’m proud of how they competed.”
The Tigers (7-1) swept Most Outstanding Performer honors on the day. Senior Mary-Grace Segars won in Fences with freshman Kate Parker taking Flat. Junior Caroline Fredenburg was honored for her ride in Horsemanship and classmate Caroline Buchanan won MOP in Reining.
“We were able to get a lot of freshmen experience today and they rose to the occasion,” Braswell said. “Seeing Kate Parker earn MOP in the first start of her career shows that her work in practice has paid off.”
Auburn turns right around to face No. 9 UT Martin on Saturday, taking on the Skyhawks at 11 a.m. CT at the Auburn University Equestrian Center.
“We’re going to focus on building and improving every meet this spring,” Braswell said. “I was happy with how we handled today and am looking for us to push ourselves to have even bigger rides tomorrow against a good opponent.”
Auburn kicked off the meet with a sweep in Reining. Junior Alexia Tordoff led off with a 69-67.5 edge and was followed by a 67-0 win from fifth year Olivia Bradley. Buchanan took MOP with a 71.5 in her 3.5-point win. Freshman Michelle Fumagalli won 69-67.5 and sophomore Callie Hogg finished with a 71.5 to get her point.
The Flat crew went 4-0-1, starting with an 82-73 win from freshman Sadie Berkhout. Freshman Kate Hagerty edged her opponent, 82-81, before Segars scored 86 in her win. Senior Sophee Steckbeck tied Kristen Borchert, 75-75, and Parker sealed the event with her MOP win, 87-64.
Fences followed suit and swept the Golden Eagles, 5-0. Hagerty led off with a big win, 83-51 and was followed by sophomore Molly Segars’ 70-65 victory. Berkhout earned 68 points in her four-point win, while the elder Segars earned a 93 to take MOP and set a career high in the event. Steckbeck closed out Fences with an 88-70 victory.
Horsemanship capped the day with another sweep as sophomore Sydney Swallom kicked things off with a 72.5-71 win. Fredenburg secured MOP with a 74-70 victory and sophomore Brooke Jolstad followed with a 73 to take the point. Hogg and Tordoff competed in both Western events for the Tigers and both came away with victories to cap the day as each scored a 74 to win their points.
#1 AUBURN 19, MINNESOTA CROOKSTON 0
FENCES
Kate Hagerty (AU) def. Alexandra Wentland (UMC), 83-51
Molly Segars (AU) def. Avery Crook (UMC), 70-65
Sadie Berkhout (AU) def. Kristan Borchert (UMC), 68-64
Mary-Grace Segars (AU)* def. Kaylynn Berry (UMC), 93-66
Sophee Steckbeck (AU) def. Belle Syrett (UMC), 88-79
FLAT
Sadie Berkhout (AU) def. Kaylynn Berry (UMC), 82-73
Kate Hagerty (AU) def. Belle Syrett (UMC), 82-81
Mary-Grace Segars (AU) def. Alexandra Wentland (UMC), 86-77
Sophee Steckbeck (AU) tied Kristen Borchert (UMC), 75-75
Kate Parker (AU)* def. Avery Crook (UMC), 87-64
HORSEMANSHIP
Sydney Swallom (AU) def. Madison Wojcek (UMC), 72.5-71
Caroline Fredenburg (AU)* def. Hailey Hanson (UMC), 74-70
Brooke Jolstad (AU) def. Marley Halse (UMC), 73-71.5
Callie Hogg (AU) def. Ava Glenn (UMC), 74-72.5
Alexia Tordoff (AU) def. Emma Mutnansky (UMC), 74-70.5
REINING
Alexia Tordoff (AU) def. Madison Wachtel (UMC), 69-67.5
Olivia Bradley (AU) def. Samantha Lyons (UMC), 67-0
Caroline Buchanan (AU)* def. Marley Halse (UMC), 71.5-68
Michelle Fumagalli (AU) def. Hailey Hanson (UMC), 69-67.5
Callie Hogg (AU) def. Madison Wojcek (UMC), 71.5-0