Feb. 9, 2018
BISHOP, Ga. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" The No. 4 Auburn equestrian team put together an impressive showing on the road Friday, taking down No. 1 Georgia, 12-6. The victory moved the Tigers to 5-3 overall and 2-2 in the Southeastern Conference.
"This team has been amazing in practice and on the road these past two weeks," head coach Greg Williams said. "Coach Jessica Braswell and coach Mary Meneely are getting them ready to ride with any team right now and it shows with not only the outcome, but the fact that we were able to sweep the MOPs today. My favorite part is how the team is continuing to get stronger as a unit outside the arena as well. I love this team and am so happy they are riding home with a huge road win today!"
A trio of freshmen swept the Most Outstanding Performer honors with Taylor St. Jacques taking both the Equitation Over Fences and Equitation on the Flat awards. Deanna Green and Terri-June Granger picked up their fourth each of the season with Green's coming in Horsemanship and Granger's in Reining.
Auburn kicked off the contest with a strong showing, taking an 8-1 lead into intermission after Equitation Over Fences and Horsemanship.
The Tigers went 4-1 in Fences with St. Jacques leading the charge, scoring a team-best 85 points to top Ali Tritschler's 84. Her MOP nod was the third-straight for the Glen Allen, Va., product. Juniors Hayley Iannotti and Alex Ladove each scored 82 points in their victories, while classmate Caitlin Boyle edged Sydney Hutchins, 76-75.
The Horsemanship corps went undefeated, finishing 4-0-1 against Georgia. Junior Lauren Diaz kicked off the event with a 72-66.5 victory, while freshman Taylor Searles picked up her second-straight W with 74.5 points. Redshirt junior Kelsey Jung earned her seventh win of the season, 74.5-74, while Green followed with 75 points for her seventh victory of the year. Sophomore Kara Kaufmann tied Madison Anger, 71.5-71.5.
In Equitation on the Flat, St. Jacques totaled a career-best 93 points to earn her second MOP of the year in the event. That point total was also a team high for the season. Iannotti also earned a win vs. the Bulldogs in Flat, topping Grace Bridges, 77-69.
Granger's 74 points in her Reining win led all student-athletes and was a career best for the Dothan, Ala., native. Junior Betsy Brown earned her third-straight win in the event as she bested Kyndall Harper, 72-71. Senior Alexa Rivard picked up a tie with Annabeth Payne, 71.5-71.5.
Auburn returns to the Plains for a big SEC meet with No. 2 Texas A&M. The Tigers and the Aggies are slated to face off Saturday, Feb. 17, at 11 a.m. CT. The meet will be held at the Auburn University Equestrian Center.
#4 AUBURN 12, #1 GEORGIA 6
Equitation on the Flat
Hayley Iannotti (AU) def. Grace Bridges (UGA), 77-69
Addy Cord (UGA) def. Caitlin Creel (AU), 83-82
Taylor St. Jacques (AU) def. Madison Newman (UGA), 93-87
Ali Tritschler (UGA) def. Caitlin Boyle (AU), 84-82
Maddy Darst (UGA) def. Ashton Alexander (AU), 79-77
Equitation Over Fences
Hayley Iannotti (AU) def. Addy Cord (UGA), 82-80
Alex Ladove (AU) def. Emma Mandarino (UGA), 82-78
Caitlin Boyle (AU) def. Sydney Hutchins (UGA), 76-75
Maddy Darst (UGA) def. Ashton Alexander (AU), 83-82.5
Taylor St. Jacques (AU) def. Ali Tritschler (UGA), 85-84
Horsemanship
Lauren Diaz (AU) def. Graysen Stroud (UGA), 72-66.5
Kara Kaufmann (AU) tied Madison Anger (UGA), 71.5-71.5
Taylor Searles (AU) def. Sammie Johnson (UGA), 74.5-73
Kelsey Jung (AU) def. Bailey Anderson (UGA), 74.5-74
Deanna Green (AU) def. Payton Anderson (UGA), 75-74.5
Reining
Terri-June Granger (AU) def. Jordan Carpenter (UGA), 74-73.5
Julia Sprenger (UGA) def. Blair McFarlin (AU), 73.5-72.5
Graysen Stroud (UGA) def. Deanna Green (AU), 72.5-67
Betsy Brown (AU) def. Kyndall Harper (UGA), 72-71
Alexa Rivard (AU) tied Annabeth Payne (UGA), 71.5-71.5
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