No. 1 Tigers edged by No. 4 South Carolina in SEC Semifinal

MILL SPRING, North Carolina – The No. 1 Auburn equestrian team’s quest for another Southeastern Conference title was cut short Friday as the Tigers fell to No. 4 seed South Carolina 10-8 in the SEC Semifinal. The league meet is being held at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, NC.

“First of all, congratulations to South Carolina on a good win,” head coach Jessica Braswell said. “We had some really good rides today, but we couldn’t overcome the mistakes overall. This team will have the opportunity to compete for a national championship in a couple of weeks so we’ll get back to work right away. I know this team will work tirelessly to be successful in Ocala.”

The Tigers (11-3) picked up three Most Outstanding Performer honors on the day. Sophomore Avery Glynn earned MOP for her performance in Fences, while senior Sophee Steckbeck won MOP in Flat. Junior Caroline Fredenburg was named MOP for her efforts in Horsemanship.

Highlighting the day was Auburn’s performance in Jumping Seat as the team went 6-3-1 between Fences and Flat.

The Flat crew led off with a 2-2-1 mark vs. the Gamecocks. Fifth year Ellie Ferrigno opened with a 79.33-77 win and Glynn tied her opponent as both scored an 80.67. Steckbeck won MOP and her point, 81-77.33.

Auburn went 4-1 in Fences in the second half of competition. Freshman Kate Hagerty led off with an 83.67-72.67 win and Steckbeck followed with an 85-83 edge over Natalie Jayne. The Gamecocks took the next point before Ferrigno bested Grace Rabb, 85.67-81.67. Glynn capped the event with an 86.67-69.67 MOP victory.

The Western corps picked up a pair of wins between Reining and Horsemanship.

Junior Alexia Tordoff took a point in Reining, winning 70.17-68.83. Fredenburg won her point in Horsemanship for MOP, 76-74.67. Sophomore Callie Hogg tied her opponent in Horsemanship as the pair scored a 73.33 each.

The Tigers will now look to the 2025 NCEA Championship, hosted by the National Collegiate Equestrian Association. The three-day meet will be held April 17-19 in Ocala, Florida at the World Equestrian Center.

#4 SOUTH CAROLINA 10, #1 AUBURN 8
FENCES
Kate Hagerty (AU) def. Amira Kettaneh (SC), 83.67-72.67
Sophee Steckbeck (AU) def. Natalie Jayne (SC), 85-83
Bella Primavera (SC) def. Mary-Grace Segars (AU), 81-79.67
Ellie Ferrigno (AU) def. Grace Rabb (SC), 85.67-81.67
Avery Glynn (AU)* def. Kenley Koch (SC), 86.67-69.67

FLAT
Ellie Ferrigno (AU) def. Mary Hunter Millet (SC), 79.33-77
Avery Glynn (AU) tied Amira Kettaneh (SC), 80.67-80.67
Sarah Rabb (SC) def. Ariana Marnell (AU), 77-75
Sophee Steckbeck (AU)* def. Sophie Mitchell (SC), 81-77.33
Natalie Jayne (SC) def. Mary-Grace Segars (AU), 80.33-77-67

HORSEMANSHIP
Tierney Horton (SC) def. Alexia Tordoff (AU), 74.33-72
Jordyn Humbert (SC) def. Sydney Swallom (AU), 72.83-70.17
Carly Jenkins (SC) def. Brook Jolstad (AU), 73.67-70.17
Caroline Fredenburg (AU)* def. Alyssa Jipping (SC), 76-74.67
Callie Hogg (AU) tied Julia Lee (SC), 73.33-73.33

REINING
Olivia Cardi (SC)* def. Caroline Buchanan (AU), 71.5-71
Alexia Tordoff (AU) def. Chloe Stephenson (SC), 70.17-68.83
Mattilyn McNeill (SC) def. Michelle Fumagalli (AU), 64.67-61.67
Haley Turner (SC) def. Callie Hogg (AU), 69.67-69.33
Chloe VanStone (SC) def. Olivia Bradley (AU), 70.5-69.67