Nov. 18, 2016
AUBURN, Ala. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" The No. 4 Auburn equestrian team capped the first half of the season with an impressive 13-5 win over No. 8 South Carolina Friday afternoon at the Auburn University Horse Center. The Tigers moved to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in SEC competition.
"The team wanted to into the break feeling like the team we know we are and we saw very commanding rides today," head coach Greg Williams said. "We're on track and going to fine by the end of the season It was a great win for us today."
The Hunt Seat corps had an impressive showing and didn't give up a point to the Gamecocks, winning nine matches and tying one.
The Equitation Over Fences crew went 4-0 over the Gamecocks as Ashton Alexander opened things up with an 82-79 victory. Classmate Caitlin Boyle earned MOP honors after scoring a season-best 86 in her win over Madison Sellman. Sophomore Hayley Iannotti won her match, 82-81, and senior Ashley Foster picked up her sixth victory in the event with an 81-77 win.
Following intermission, the Hunt Seat riders finished the day with a sweep in Equitation on the Flat, 5-0. Iannotti opened with an 80-59 win and Alexander followed with 70 points in her victory. Senior Tory Hoft picked up her team-leading sixth win in the event, besting Lauren Fabiano, 68-51. Boyle's outscored her opponent with 73 points and Foster secured a 78-66 win to take home MOP honors.
Horsemanship helped lift Auburn to a 7-1 advantage before intermission after finishing 3-1. Sophomore Megan Rauh and freshman Kara Kaufmann each picked up their fifth win of the year with Rauh taking a 72.5-65.5 victory over Ashley Reichert. Kaufmann remained undefeated in the event after topping Courtney Allen, 74.5-72.5. Junior Kelsey Jung earned a season-best 75 points in her victory.
In Reining, junior Alexa Rivard recorded her fourth win of the season, topping Maddie Thiel, 67.5-66.5.
The Tigers return to competition in 2017, traveling to Tuscaloosa for a hunt seat-only exhibition vs. Alabama, Jan. 20. The entire team follows with a meet vs. SEC rival Georgia, Feb. 11, in Auburn.
#4 AUBURN 13, #8 SOUTH CAROLINA 5
Equitation on the Flat
Hayley Iannotti (AU) def. Katie Mack (SC), 80-59
Ashton Alexander (AU) def. Lizzie van der Walde (SC), 70-66
Tory Hoft (AU) def. Lauren Fabiano (SC), 68-51
Caitlin Boyle (AU) def. Chloe Schmidt (SC), 73-59
Ashley Foster (AU)* def. Sydney Smith (SC), 78-66
Equitation Over Fences
Ashton Alexander (AU) def. Lizzie van der Walde (SC), 82-79
Caitlin Boyle (AU)* def. Madison Sellman (SC), 86-75
Hayley Iannotti (AU) def. Chloe Schmidt (SC), 82-81
Summer Hill (AU) tied Sydney Smith (SC) 78-78
Ashley Foster (AU) def. Madison Butehorn (SC), 81-77
Horsemanship
Hannah Stephens (AU) tied Bailey Mierzejewski (SC), 74.5-74.5
Megan Overberg (SC) def. Lauren Diaz (AU), 75-74.5
Megan Rauh (AU) def. Ashley Reichert (SC), 72.5-65.5
Kelsey Jung (AU) def. Paige Stopperich (SC), 75-73
Kara Kaufmann (AU) def. Courtney Allen (SC), 74.5-72.5
Reining
Caroline Gute (SC) def. Ali Fratessa (AU), 69.5-69
Bailey Walters (SC) def. Betsy Brown (AU), 67.5-67
Alexa Rivard (AU) def. Maddie Thiel (SC), 67.5-66.5
Paisley Roberts (SC) def. Blair McFarlin (AU), 70-68.5
Bridgett White (SC) def. Kara Kaufmann (AU), 69.5-0
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