AUBURN, Ala. – The No. 1 Auburn equestrian team capped a busy weekend with a rainy victory over No. 5 TCU, 15-4, Saturday afternoon at the Auburn University Equestrian Center. The Tigers improved to 3-0 on the year with the win.
"It's great to get a win in these conditions and I feel really good about where this team is at right now," head coach Greg Williams said. "I'm so proud of not only how the team performed this weekend, but how well they hosted six meets over two days. We're riding really well, but I'm looking forward to seeing what else we can do as the season progresses."
Three Tigers secured MOP honors on the day. Freshman Ava Stearns picked up the first of her career in Fences, while sophomore McKayla Langmeier had her second one of the weekend in Flat. Junior Deanna Green secured her second MOP of the season in Reining.
Highlighting the soggy day was Reining's performance against TCU at the conclusion of the meet as the Tigers swept the visitors, 5-0. Freshman Jen Kasper scored a career best with a 76.5 in her win, while junior Terri-June Granger bested Elena Hurd, 73.5-72. Freshman Boo Kammerer followed with a 73.5-72.5 win and sophomore Peyton Hall scored a 73 to take the team point. Green closed out the event with a 76.5-71 victory, securing the MOP.
Auburn opened the day with a 4-1 lead after Flat, seeing big scores vs. the Horned Frogs. Sophomore Emma Kurtz kicked things off with an 87-76 victory over Wynne Weatherly and after TCU earned the second point, Stearns followed with a 93 in her win. Freshman Paige Matthies put together a 90-88 edge vs. Isabella Baxter before Langmeier tied her career high with a 97, winning her point and the MOP.
Fences followed with another 4-1 win, giving the Tigers an 8-2 lead after Jumping Seat events. Kurtz edged her opponent, 84-82, before freshman Alex Pielet bested Alex Beneson, 84-83. Stearns scored an 88 on her MOP ride and Langmeier capped the event with an 80-78 victory.
The Tigers picked up two points in Horsemanship behind strong rides from a pair of freshmen. Olivia Tordoff opened up the event with a 75-74.5 edge over Jamie Cook, while Maddie Spak closed out Horsemanship with a 75.5-74.5 win over Cydney Benes. Green put up a career-high 79.5, but finished her match in a tie with Mattie Dukes.
Auburn opens up Southeastern Conference action at South Carolina, Oct. 25. The Tigers and the Gamecocks will face off at 1 p.m. CT in Blythewood, S.C., at One Wood Farm.
#1 AUBURN 15, #5 TCU 4
Fences
Emma Kurtz (AU) def. Isabella Baxter (TCU), 84-82
Alex Pielet (AU) def. Alex Beneson (TCU), 84-83
Ava Stearns (AU)* def. Grace Upshaw (TCU), 88-80
Raegan Rast (TCU) def. Taylor St. Jacques (AU), 82-81
McKayla Langmeier (AU) def. Wynne Weatherly (TCU), 80-78
Flat
Emma Kurtz (AU) def. Wynne Weatherly (TCU), 87-76
Misty Redd (TCU) def. Taylor St. Jacques (AU), 83-80
Ava Stearns (AU) def. Alex Beneson (TCU), 93-0
Paige Matthies (AU) def. Isabella Baxter (TCU), 90-88
McKayla Langmeier (AU)* def. Lanie Walkenbach (TCU), 97-85
Horsemanship
Olivia Tordoff (AU) def. Jamie Cook (TCU), 75-74.5
Deanna Green (AU) tied Mattie Dukes (TCU), 79.5-79.5
Josie Mootz (TCU)* def. Kara Kaufmann (AU), 77-71.5
Drew Rogers (TCU) def. Taylor Searles (AU), 74.5-72.5
Maddie Spak (AU) def. Cydney Benes (TCU), 75.5-74.5
Reining
Jen Kasper (AU) def. Claire Dittrich (TCU), 76.5-75.5
Terri-June Granger (AU) def. Elena Hurd (TCU), 73.5-72
Boo Kammerer (AU) def. Mady Buchanan (TCU), 73-5. 72.5
Peyton Hall (AU) def. Carly Lombard (TCU), 73-67.5
Deanna Green (AU)* def. Bella Andrews (TCU), 76.5-71