Oct. 21, 2017
AUBURN, Ala. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" The No. 3 Auburn equestrian team put together a solid showing overall Saturday afternoon, defeating No. 7 Baylor, 15-4, at the Auburn University Equestrian Center.
"The team has been operating with the type of team mentality that we love in all aspects this year," head coach Greg Williams said. "That cohesive effort was apparent today and it was a very solid showing against a very good Baylor team. Our future is going to be bright here at Auburn."
The Horsemanship corps kicked things off with a commanding 4-1 win over the Bears in the first half. Freshman Deanna Green continued her unbeaten streak as she topped Abbi Demel, 78-71, to earn her third MOP honor of the year. The Pilot Point, Texas, product's score was the highest by a Tiger this season.
Joining Green in the win column was a trio of teammates in junior Lauren Diaz, sophomore Kara Kaufmann, and redshirt junior Kelsey Jung. Diaz bested Katie Davis, 73.5-71, while Kaufmann's 70.5 points bettered Clara Johnson's 60. Jung capped the event with 75.5 points in her win over Charlotte Green.
Equitation Over Fences finished with a 3-2 record for Auburn. Freshman Gia Rinaldi and junior Ashton Alexander scored 87 points apiece in each of their wins for the Tigers. Rinaldi picked up her first career MOP nod for her ride on Farro. Junior Caitlin Boyle closed out the half with an 85-74 victory over Gia Gulino.
Auburn went into break with a 7-3 lead over the Bears.
The Tigers went undefeated in Equitation on the Flat, picking up four wins and one tie. Rinaldi kept up her winning ways, topping Madison Day, 82-76. Junior Hayley Iannotti continued to excel in the event for Auburn and scored 84 points in her win. Alexander followed with another 84 to take home her second win of the day, while senior Caitlin Creel tied Michelle Mallett, 82-82. Boyle earned MOP honors as she edged Brittney Mirkov, 85-83.
Reining closed things out with a strong showing, picking up a 4-1 win over the Bears. Freshman Terri-June Granger earned her second win of the year, besting Sydney Scheckel, 71.5-66.5. The Dothan, Ala., native was awarded with her second MOP on the season.
Senior Alexa Rivard added another win for the Tigers, defeating Abbi Demel, 66.5-65. Freshman Savannah Ostner earned 67 points in her win, while junior Blair McFarlin's 68.5 on Tina was enough to top Baylor's Charlotte Green.
Auburn takes to the road for its first Southeastern Conference meet of the season, traveling to No. 2 Texas A&M. The Tigers and the Aggies will go head-to-head Friday, Nov. 3, in College Station. Fans traveling to Texas for the Auburn football game the next day are welcome to cheer on the Tigers at the 10 a.m. CT contest at the Hildebrand Equine Complex.
#3 AUBURN 15, #7 BAYLOR 4
Equitation on the Flat
Gia Rinaldi (AU) def. Madison Day (BU), 82-76
Hayley Iannotti (AU) def. Sam Matthews (BU), 84-76
Ashton Alexander (AU) def. Rachael Davis (BU), 84-74
Caitlin Creel (AU) tied Michelle Mallett (BU), 82-82
Caitlin Boyle (AU)* def. Brittney Mirkov (BU), 85-83
Equitation Over Fences
Gabby Conte (BU) def. Alex Ladove (AU), 78-76
Ashton Alexander (AU) def. Madison Day (BU), 87-84
Gia Rinaldi (AU)* def. Michelle Mallett (BU), 87-63
Shannon Hogue (BU) def. Hayley Iannotti (AU), 72-55
Caitlin Boyle (AU) def. Gia Gulino (BU), 85-74
Horsemanship
Kaylee Mellott (BU) def. Taylor Searles (AU), 73-71
Deanna Green (AU)* def. Abbi Demel (BU), 78-71
Lauren Diaz (AU) def. Katie Davis (BU), 73.5-71
Kara Kaufmann (AU) def. Clara Johnson (BU), 70.5-60
Kelsey Jung (AU) def. Charlotte Green (BU), 75.5-74.5
Reining
Terri-June Granger (AU)* def. Sydney Scheckel (BU), 71.5-66.5
Alexa Rivard (AU) def. Abbi Demel (BU), 66.5-65
Savannah Ostner (AU) def. Georgia Smith (BU), 67-65.5
Carly Salter (BU) def. Betsy Brown (AU), 65.5-64.5
Blair McFarlin (AU) def. Charlotte Green (BU), 68.5-67
* - Denotes Most Outstanding Performer
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