Oct. 8, 2016
FELTON, Del. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" The No. 1 Auburn equestrian started and finished strong at Delaware State Saturday morning, defeating the Hornets, 12-4, at the Dovington Training Center.
"I just love this team," head coach Greg Williams said. "They always keep their attitudes up and really came back today ready to play and rebounded the way we knew they would. We will always look back at yesterday's results throughout the year to make sure we keep pulling out wins."
Three Tigers picked up their first MOP honors of the season after the day's competition. Senior Ashley Foster earned the honor in Equitation on the Flat, while sophomore Caitlin Boyle was recognized for her performance in Equitation Over Fences. Sophomore Ali Fratessa's meet-high 71 points in Reining gave her the MOP nod.
Auburn (2-1) opened competition with a 7-1 lead, putting together great rides in Equitation Over Fences and Horsemanship. The Hunt Seat crew swept DSU in Fences as Boyle started things off with a her MOP win over Emily Nelson, 79-55. Sophomores Ashton Alexander (74-69) and Hayley Iannotti (84-62) each won their matches and Foster closed out the event with a 75-68 victory.
A trio of Tigers captured wins in Horsemanship. Senior Hannah Stephens topped Shelbe Jarrett, 73.5-53.5, while freshman Kara Kaufmann defeated Angelina Watts, 73-68.5. Junior Kelsey Jung capped the event with a 72-67.5 win over Blayne Bell.
Following intermission, the Equitation on the Flat crew went 3-1 for Auburn. Alexander and Foster each picked up their second wins of the day as Alexander defeated Molly Garra (64-53) and Foster topped Vanessa Rabito with an event-best 80 points. Senior Tory Hoft edged her opponent, 68-67, to close out Hunt Seat's day.
The Tiger duo of Fratessa and sophomore Blair McFarlin earned Ws for Auburn in Reining. McFarlin kicked the discipline off with a 70.5-0 win and Fratessa's MOP performance gave her a 71-67.5 victory.
Auburn returns to the AU Horse Center for a big SEC match up with nationally-ranked Texas A&M. The Tigers and the Aggies will face off Saturday, Oct. 15, at 10 a.m. CT. Admission is free.
#1 AUBURN 12, DELAWARE STATE 4
Equitation on the Flat
Caroline Schock (DSU) def. Caitlin Creel (AU), 74-62
Ashton Alexander (AU) def. Molly Garra (DSU), 64-53
Ashley Foster (AU) def. Vanessa Rabito (DSU), 80-55
Tory Hoft (AU) def. Hayley Anderson (DSU), 68-67
Equitation Over Fences
Caitlin Boyle (AU) def. Emily Nelson (DSU), 79-55
Ashton Alexander (AU) def. Hayley Anderson (DSU), 74-69
Hayley Iannotti (AU) def. Rachel Dantley (DSU), 84-62
Ashley Foster (AU) def. Alex Gill (DSU), 75-68
Horsemanship
Hannah Stephens (AU) def. Shelbe Jarrett (DSU), 73.5-53.5
Abigail Buckwalter (DSU) def. Lauren Diaz (AU), 74.5-73.5
Kara Kaufmann (AU) def. Angelina Watts (DSU), 73-68.5
Kelsey Jung (AU) def. Blayne Bell (DSU), 72-67.5
Reining
Blair McFarlin (AU) def. Cheyenne Adams (DSU), 70.5-0
Aubrey Braham (DSU) def. Alexa Rivard (AU), 70.5-70
Elizabeth Koons (DSU) def. Lauren Diaz (AU), 67-64
Ali Fratessa (AU) def. Maddison Sullivan (DSU), 71-67.5
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