Feb. 25, 2017
BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. -- Behind big scores from its youthful squad, the No. 4 Auburn equestrian team picked up the coveted road win and defeated No. 8 South Carolina, 10-8, at One Wood Farm in Blythewood, S.C., Saturday afternoon. The win moved Auburn to 5-3 overall and 3-2 in Southeastern Conference competition.
"This was a great road win," head coach Greg Williams said. "We rocked along in complacency most of this year and I even shrugged off a couple losses, which is very uncharacteristic. I am so proud of the way our team has banded together and are riding to win. From what I've been seeing, this is only the beginning. We haven't seen anything yet."
Auburn lead the Gamecocks, 9-5, heading into the final event of the day -- Reining. Sophomore Betsy Brown sealed the victory in the opening match, scoring a career best 75 points to earn MOP honors. That total also tied with the team's highest score this season. Adding to the Tigers team total was sophomore Blair McFarlin, who defeated Madison Thiel, 71-69, for her fifth win of the year.
The squad went into intermission with a comfortable 5-3 advantage over South Carolina following a solid showing from both the Equitation on the Flat and Horsemanship riders.
The Auburn Flat corps finished 3-1 overall and was led by an MOP ride from sophomore Ashton Alexander, defeating Sydney Smit, 87-84. The award was her second of the season in the event. Classmate Hayley Iannotti picked up her sixth win in Flat with an 88-85 victory and senior Ashley Foster followed with another 88 points in her win. Sophomore Caitlin Boyle tied Lauren Fabiano, 82-82.
Senior Hannah Stephens paced the Horsemanship crew as the Tigers finished 3-2 in the discipline. The Fort Valley, Va., product's ride earned 75 points and gave her MOP honors. Kara Kaufmann continued to excel in her first year with AU, securing a 73.5-71 win over Bailey Mierzejewski to remain undefeated at 8-0-1. Competing for the first time this season for Auburn was freshman Drew Rogers and the Bakersfield, Calif., native finished with a tie, 72.5-72.5.
The Auburn Hunt Seat riders went 3-2 in Equitation Over Fences. Foster's 90 points in her win was the second-highest total by any Tiger in the event this season and gave Foster her second-straight Fences MOP award. Alexander edged Lizzie Van der Walde, 86-85, and sophomore Alex Ladove won her third-consecutive Fences match with an 83-75 victory.
The Tigers will close out their regular season traveling to No. 2 Baylor (March 3) and No. 1 Texas A&M (March 4). Auburn will host the 2017 SEC Equestrian Championship, March 24-25, at the Auburn University Horse Center.
#4 AUBURN 11, #8 SOUTH CAROLINA 8
Equitation on the Flat
Caitlin Boyle (AU) tied Lauren Fabiano (SC), 82-82
Hayley Iannotti (AU) def. Lizzie Van der Walde (SC), 88-85
Ashton Alexander (AU)* def. Sydney Smith (SC), 87-84
Ashley Foster (AU) def. Madison Sellman (SC), 88-82
Chloe Schmidt (SC) def. Tory Hoft (AU), 87-77
Equitation Over Fences
Ashton Alexander (AU) def. Lizzie Van der Walde (SC), 86-85
Alex Ladove (AU) def. Madison Butehorn (SC), 83-75
Ashley Foster (AU)* def. Chloe Schmidt (SC), 90-80
Sydney Smith (SC) def. Hayley Iannotti (AU), 84-78
Madison Sellman (SC) def. Caitlin Boyle (AU), 79-75
Horsemanship
Drew Rogers (AU) tied Paige Stopperich (SC), 72.5-72.5
Megan Overberg (SC) def. Lauren Diaz (AU), 74-72.5
Kara Kaufmann (AU) def. Bailey Mierzejewski (SC), 73.5-71
Hannah Stephens (AU)* def. Courtney Allen (SC), 75-68.5
Madison Thiel (SC) def. Megan Rauh (AU), 73.5-72
Reining
Betsy Brown (AU)* def. Paisley Roberts (SC), 75-72
Bailey Walters (SC) def. Alexa Rivard (AU), 71-68
Jordan Scott (SC) def. Ali Fratessa (AU), 68-67
Carolina Gute (SC) def. Lauren Diaz (AU) 71.5-71
Blair McFarlin (AU) def. Madison Thiel (SC), 71-69
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