BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. – The No. 1 Auburn equestrian team used a strong first half to come away with a 14-6 victory on the road over No. 3 South Carolina Saturday, Feb. 16, at One Wood Farm. The Tigers moved to a perfect 10-0 overall and 4-0 in the Southeastern Conference.
"I'm so proud of the team and the atmosphere they maintained today," head coach Greg Williams said. "Coaches Jessica Braswell and Mary Meneely continue to raise the bar for this team and the team continues to exceed those expectations. We did have a few mistakes today, but we've had a couple great weeks and are looking forward to the next challenge."
A major highlight of the day was the performance of senior Lauren Diaz in Horsemanship. With her 73.5-69.5 victory, the Heath, Ohio, product collected her 37th career victory on the Plains. That total ties Griffin Knight's (2012-16) current program record in the event.
The Tigers kicked off the day with an 8-2 lead following Horsemanship and Equitation Over Fences.
Sophomore Deanna Green opened up Horsemanship with a 69.5-69 edge over SC's Alexa Thorpe. Classmate Taylor Searles followed with a 73-71 victory for her seventh-straight win, improving to 8-1 overall in the event. Diaz picked up her big win with 73.5 points, securing her fifth MOP honor of the season. Senior Kelsey Jung capped the event with a 72-71 win over Mackenzie Matthews, helping the Tigers finish 4-1 over the Gamecocks.
After SC took the first point in Fences, senior Ashton Alexander scored a career-high 94 points to take the win and MOP honors. Freshman McKayla Langmeier improved to 7-0 in Fences with her win over Caroline Bald, scoring a career-best 92 points. Sophomore Taylor St. Jacques and senior Caitlin Boyle put an exclamation on the first half with 89 and 91 points, respectively, in their wins.
Both Reining and Equitation on the Flat went 3-2 for the Tigers after the break.
Seniors Blair McFarlin and Betsy Brown got things started in Reining as each secured their sixth win on the season. McFarlin topped Bridgett White, 70.5-69, before Brown scored 72.5 points in her victory. Sophomore Terri-June Granger was awarded a 72.5 on her ride to take home the win.
The Flat corps was led by a trio of underclassmen in freshman Emma Kurtz, Langmeier and St. Jacques. Kurtz bested Madison Brayman, 86-81, and Langmeier topped her opponent with another 86 points. The win moved Langmeier to 8-0 on the year. St. Jacques was awarded MOP for the fourth time this season, scoring 91 points.
Auburn takes a week off before a long trip to Texas, March 1-2. The Tigers kick off the trip with another SEC contest, facing No. 4 Texas A&M, March 1, at 11 a.m. CT in College Station. The squad caps the trip at No. 2 SMU, March 2, squaring off with the Mustangs at 10 a.m. CT in Dallas.
#1 AUBURN 14, #3 SOUTH CAROLINA 6
Equitation Over Fences
Madison Brayman (SC) def. Hayley Iannotti (AU), 82-80
Ashton Alexander (AU)* def. Tyler Petrie (SC), 94-90
McKayla Langmeier (AU) def. Caroline Bald (SC), 92-78
Taylor St. Jacques (AU) def. Lizzie van der Walde (SC), 89-86
Caitlin Boyle (AU) def. Grady Lyman (SC), 91-85
Equitation on the Flat
Madison Sellman (SC) def. Hayley Iannotti (AU), 84-79
Emma Kurtz (AU) def. Madison Brayman (SC), 86-81
Grady Lyman (SC) def. Caitlin Boyle (AU), 84-76
Taylor St. Jacques (AU) def. Trinity Hammerschmidt (SC), 91-75
McKayla Langmeier (AU) def. Lizzie van der Walde (SC), 86-76
Horsemanship
Deanna Green (AU) def. Alexa Thorpe (SC), 69.5-69
Taylor Searles (AU) def. Madison Thiel (SC), 73-71
Quinn Brandt (SC) def. Kara Kaufmann (AU), 65.5-65
Lauren Diaz (AU) def. Caroline Gute (SC), 73.5-69.5
Kelsey Jung (AU) def. Mackenzie Matthews (SC), 72-71
Reining
Blair McFarlin (AU) def. Bridgett White (SC), 70.5-69
Betsy Brown (AU) def. McKenzie Duncan (SC), 72.5-69
Jordan Scott (SC) def. Ali Fratessa (AU), 73.5-71.5
Terri-June Granger (AU) der. Madison Thiel (SC), 72.5-70
Caroline Gute (SC) def. Deanna Green (AU), 69.5-68.5