March 4, 2017
COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- The No. 4 Auburn equestrian team concluded the regular season in style, picking up a 12-7 victory over No. 2 Texas A&M on the road in College Station, Texas. The Tigers improved to 7-3 overall and 4-2 in the Southeastern Conference.
"We knew we had turned the corner and now are very close to having it all put together," head coach Greg Williams said. "I'm incredibly proud of my entire staff, particularly Coach Jessica Braswell and Coach Mary Meneely. We are all thankful for a group of student-athletes that leaned on each other and formed a tight knit, winning team. We are now ready for postseason work!"
With the finish, Auburn will be the No. 2 seed in the upcoming SEC Championships. The two-day tournament will be held at the Auburn University Equestrian Center, March 24-25, and admission is free. Georgia will be the No. 1 seed, while Texas A&M and South Carolina come in at Nos. 3 and 4.
The Tigers kicked things off in Equitation Over Fences as the squad put together a 3-2 victory over the Aggies. Sophomore Caitlin Boyle earned her second MOP nod of the weekend, topping Alex Desiderio, 87-72. Senior Ashley Foster captured her team-leading 11th win of the year in the event, defeating Haley Webster 83-70. Sophomore Alex Ladove continued to excel in the spring season, taking an 80-74 victory to remain undefeated at 5-0.
The Auburn reiners had a solid showing against TAMU and finished the second event of the day in a tie, 2-2. Sophomore Betsy Brown earned her third-straight victory, edging her opponent with a 70-69.5 score. Classmate Lauren Diaz also finished with a tight win as she beat Jaci Marley, 68.5-68. Junior Alexa Rivard recorded her second-consecutive score in the 70s, tying Sarah McEntire, 73-73.
Auburn's Hunt Seat corps finished their solid day with a 4-1 victory in Equitation on the Flat. Sophomore Ashton Alexander earned MOP honors after scoring an event-high 84 points on the day. Boyle followed with an 80-76 win over Desiderio, while Foster captured an 83-79 victory. Sophomore Hayley Iannotti capped the event with another 80-point showing, scoring an 83 to beat Maddie Swem's 76.
The Tigers needed one more point heading into Horsemanship as the squad held a 9-6 lead.
Senior Hannah Stephens put together another 75-point score in the second match of the event, sealing the team victory with a 75-71.5 win over Bailey Cook. Diaz followed with 75.5 points in her individual win to earn MOP and classmate Megan Rauh capped the day with a 74.5-74 victory over Rachel Lucht. Junior Kelsey Jung set a career-best total of 75.5 points in the opening match, but was edged by Avery Ellis with 76 points.
#4 AUBURN 12, #2 TEXAS A&M 7
Equitation on the Flat
Rachael Hake (TAMU) def. Tory Hoft (AU), 80-79
Ashton Alexander (AU) def. Rebekah Chenelle (TAMU), 84-77
Caitlin Boyle (AU) def. Alex Desiderio (TAMU), 80-76
Ashley Foster (AU) def. Anna Rea (TAMU), 83-79
Hayley Iannotti (AU) def. Maddie Swem (TAMU), 83-76
Equitation Over Fences
Alex Ladove (AU) def. Kai Devoglaer (TAMU), 80-74
Ashley Foster (AU) def. Haley Webster (TAMU), 83-70
Rachael Hake (TAMU) def. Ashton Alexander (AU), 85-84
Caitlin Boyle (AU) def. Alex Desiderio (TAMU), 87-82
Rebekah Chenelle (TAMU) def. Hayley Iannotti (AU), 79-77
Horsemanship
Avery Ellis (TAMU) def. Kelsey Jung (AU), 76-75.5
Hannah Stephens (AU) def. Bailey Cook (TAMU), 75-71.5
Lauren Diaz (AU) def. Sarah Orsak (TAMU), 75.5-73.5
Kaci Fisher (TAMU) def. Kara Kaufmann (AU), 75-67.5
Megan Rauh (AU) def. Rachel Lucht (TAMU), 74.5-74
Reining
Alexa Rivard (AU) tied Sarah McEntire (TAMU), 73-73
Haley Franc (TAMU) def. Blair McFarlin (AU), 72-68.5
Betsy Brown (AU) def. Sarah Kate Grider (TAMU), 70-69.5
Lauren Diaz (AU) def. Jaci Marley (TAMU), 68.5-68
Madison Bohman (TAMU) def. Ali Fratessa (AU), 74-0
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