AUBURN, Ala. – A dominant performance from the No. 1 Auburn equestrian team gave the Tigers a comfortable win over Ole Miss, defeating the Rebels, 17-1, at the Auburn University Equestrian Center Friday afternoon.
"Today was fantastic for us and it was a lot of fun to get some new people in the arena. It shows the depth that we have right now," head coach Greg Williams said. "This team made the hashtag '#AsOne' and they are living it. This is probably one of the closest teams I have seen. It has been truly amazing and the results are showing."
The Tigers dominated from beginning to end, sweeping the Rebels in three of the four events.
Senior Mackenzie Michaels opened in Equitation on the Flat with a ride that earned her a Most Outstanding Performer recognition, defeating Nancy Newman, 88-58. Four more points followed for the Tigers as junior Becky Kozma and sophomore Helen Ulrich picked up wins over Emory Barnes and Ellis Ross, respectively. The event finished with sophomore Emma Crosbie and senior Casey Schmitz earning points for the Tigers.
The momentum for the home team carried into Horsemanship as every member of the Auburn team collected a score of at least 70 points. Freshman Emma Brown defeated Rebel Parker Walters, 75-64.5, to earn a MOP recognition in her first collegiate meet.
Junior Hayley Pembroke and sophomore Anna Enos earned scores of 74 and 73, respectively, to pick up wins. Senior Emma Paul and freshman Ellie Becker also contributed with one win each to complete the sweep in Horsemanship.
Equitation over Fences followed and the Rebels took the first point of the event. The Tigers responded with four points starting with an 82-56 win from sophomore Carly Hoft. That victory gave her MOP honors. Junior Anna Claire Smith and freshman Meghan Knapic topped their opponents with scores of 78-53 and 75-57, respectively. Sophomore Ericka Koscinski closed the event with a win over Robin Young, 80-69.
The final event of the day was Reining where the Tigers grabbed all three points. Junior Kara Kaufmann collected the MOP thanks to a 70-59.5 victory over Carley Sheppard. Freshman Charlie Sue Pates topped Emma Beth Corkren, 67-0, in her first collegiate meet and sophomore Taylor Searles closed the show with a 68-61 win over Laurie Marie Robbins.
The No. 1 Auburn team return to the Auburn University Equestrian Center for a non-conference showdown with nationally-ranked Oklahoma State. The Tigers and the No. 7 Cowgirls will go head-to-head at 3 p.m. CT and admission is free.
#1 AUBURN 17, OLE MISS 1
Equitation Over Fences
Emory Barnes (MISS) def. Alex Ladove (AU), 62-38
Carly Hoft (AU) def. Ellis Ross (MISS), 82-36
Anna Claire Smith (AU) def. Nancy Newman (MISS), 78-53
Meghan Knapic (AU) def. Meredith Foster (MISS), 75-57
Ericka Koscinski (AU) def. Robin Young (MISS), 80-69
Equitation on the Flat
Mackenzie Michaels (AU) def. Nancy Newman (MISS), 88-58
Becky Kozma (AU) def. Emory Barnes (MISS), 85-56
Helen Ulrich (AU) def. Ellis Ross (MISS), 77-48
Emma Crosbie (AU) def. Meredith Foster (MISS), 67-48
Casey Schmitz (AU) def. Parker Walters (MISS), 75-54
Horsemanship
Emma Paul (AU) def. Ellis Ross (MISS), 70.5-0
Ellie Becker (AU) def. Laurie Marie Robbins (MISS), 70-67
Emma Brown (AU)* def. Parker Walters (MISS), 75-64.5
Anna Enos (AU) def. Emma Beth Corkren (MISS), 73-55
Hayley Pembroke (AU) def. Carley Sheppard (MISS), 74-70
Reining
Kara Kaufmann (AU) def. Addie Cromer (MISS), 70-59.5
Charlie Sue Pates (AU) def. Emma Beth Corkren (MISS), 67-0
Taylor Searles (AU) def. Laurie Marie Robbins (MISS), 68-61
No. 1 Auburn Tops Ole Miss, 17-1, in Exhibition
