AUBURN, Ala. – The No. 1 Auburn equestrian team closed out a busy weekend with a 13-5 victory over No. 7 Freson State Saturday at the Auburn University Equestrian Center. The win moved the Tigers to 3-1 overall on the year.
"We only had a couple errors today so overall, it was a great day," head coach Greg Williams said. "I'm pleased with how the practices from the coaches and riders are progressing. I'm also thrilled with the staff and crew out here and how we efficiently run a busy weekend with three teams. It was a great two days on the Plains."
Auburn swept the MOP honors on the day starting with freshman Sophee Steckbeck taking the award in Fences. Senior Emma Kurtz won in Flat, while juniors Olivia Tordoff and Boo Kammerer were honored in Horsemanship and Reining, respectively.
The Fences corps picked up the sweep to start things off for Jumping Seat. Sophomore Ellie Ferrigno bested Olivia Ferro, 89-81, before Steckbeck picked up her second Fences win of the weekend, 90-76. Kurtz and junior Ava Stearns both scored 88 points in their victories, while senior Meghan Knapic remained undefeated in the event with an 87-74 win.
Auburn earned three points in Horsemanship in the first half of the meet. Fifth-year senior Taylor Searles kicked things off with a 74-66 win and was followed by a 74-73 victory from Madison Parduhn. Tordoff bested Hannah Bujis, 75.5-71.5.
The Tigers continued to bring in the points after intermission, starting with Reining. Sophomore Isabella Tesmer rode to a 72-70 victory and Kammerer followed with 72.5 points in her win. Searles remained undefeated on the year with a 68-64 win over Ashley Jackson.
The Flat crew capped the day with a 2-2-1 mark against Fresno State. Steckbeck finished undefeated on the weekend with a 97-89.5 win, just two points shy of her 99 yesterday vs. Lynchburg. The Bulldogs took the next two points before Kurtz finished with a 97 in her 10-point victory. Ferrigno closed things out with a 95.5-95.5 tie with Cecily Hayes.
The Tigers return to Southeastern Conference competition and host No. 9 South Carolina at the Auburn University Equestrian Center, Oct. 29. The two squads will face off at 3 p.m. CT and admission will be free.
#1 AUBURN 13, #7 FRESNO STATE 5
FENCES
Ellie Ferrigno (AU) def. Olivia Ferro (FSU), 89-81
Sophee Steckbeck (AU) def. Cecily Hayes (FSU), 90-76
Emma Kurtz (AU) def. Ana Bertozzi (FSU), 88-86
Ava Stearns (AU) def. Grace Mathias (FSU), 88-84
Meghan Knapic (AU) def. Lizzie Stodden (FSU), 87-74
FLAT
Sophee Steckbeck (AU) def. Taylor Holstead (FSU), 97-89.5
Ana Bertozzi (FSU) def. Ava Stearns (AU), 93.5-92
Sara Tuck (FSU) def. Anna Marie Mayes (AU), 92.5-82
Emma Kurtz (AU) def. Grace Mathias (FSU), 97-87
Ellie Ferrigno (AU) tied Cecily Hayes (FSU), 95.5-95.5
HORSEMANSHIP
Taylor Searles (AU) def. Alexis Steele (FSU), 74-66
Madison Parduhn (AU) def. Alex Krebs (FSU), 74-73
Olivia Tordoff (AU) def. Hanna Bujis (FSU), 75.5-71.5
Emily Maul (FSU) def. Maddie Spak (AU), 72.5-71.5
Kameron Thorn (FSU) def. Jacqueline Frimodt (AU), 75-71.5
REINING
Isabella Tesmer (AU) def. Julianne Kelley (FSU), 72-70
Boo Kammerer (AU) def. Hanna Hieber (FSU), 72.5-69
Olivia Marino (AU) tied Lexee Padrick (FSU), 69.5-69.5
Bailey Alexander (FSU) def. Terri-June Granger (AU), 74-72.5
Taylor Searles (AU) def. Ashley Jackson (FSU), 68-64