BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. – The No. 1 Auburn equestrian team’s comeback fell just short Saturday afternoon as the Tigers lost to No. 6 South Carolina in a Southeastern Conference match up, 10-9, in Blythewood, South Carolina.
“I’m proud of the fight we showed with such a rough start to the meet,” head coach Jessica Braswell said. “We made far too many mistakes today, but we also never gave up or got deflated.”
The Tigers (6-2, 2-2 SEC) found themselves down 10-5 with Reining remaining at the end of the meet. The Reining corps put their best foot forward and went 4-0-1 against the Gamecocks, coming up just short of the comeback.
“I challenged the reiners at the half to ride with a chip on their shoulder and they really responded,” Braswell said. “Overall, I’m happy with the effort today. We just have to clean up our execution.”
The meet-winning tie for the Gamecocks came in the first match up of the event as sophomore Michelle Fumagalli and SC’s Emily Patton each earned a 70.5. The final four points of Reining went to the Tigers, starting with a 70-62.5 win for junior Callie Hogg.
Senior Caroline Buchanan had a huge ride, earning a career-high 75.25 points to win by 2.75. Freshman Sofia Tieche followed with a 68.5-66.5 win and senior Alexia Tordoff capped the day with a 71.5-70 victory.
Buchanan and sophomore Kate Hagerty was named Most Outstanding Performers for their efforts in Reining and Fences, respectively.
The Jumping Seat squad picked up three points in Fences to start the meet.
Freshman Emily Jurnovoy led things off with an 87.5-0 win, while Hagerty followed with 86.5 points in her victory. Freshman Caroline Olsen closed out the event, besting her opponent, 85.5-82.
The Gamecocks got a big start in Western, sweeping the Tigers in Horsemanship to take a 7-3 lead at intermission.
Flat earned two points in the second half of Jumping Seat. Olsen finished her day undefeated as she beat Sarah Rabb, 80.5-75.5. Junior Avery Glynn bested Natalie Jayne, 75.72, for an Auburn point.
Auburn finally competes on the Plains in its next context, hosting No. 4 SMU at the Auburn University Equestrian Center. The Tigers and the Mustangs will face off at 11 a.m. CT on February 21 and admission will be free.
#6 SOUTH CAROLINA 10, #1 AUBURN 9
FENCES
Emily Jurnovoy (AU) def. Alyssa Bauer (SC), 87.5-0
Kate Hagerty (AU) def. Natalie Jayne (SC), 86.5-84
Amira Kettaneh (SC) def. Ariana Marnell (AU), 86-81.5
Grace Rabb (SC) def. Avery Glynn (AU), 85-84.5
Caroline Olsen (AU) def. Bella Primavera (SC), 85.5-82
FLAT
Amira Kettaneh (SC)* def. Kate Hagerty (AU), 91.5-83
Caroline Olsen (AU) def. Sarah Rabb (SC), 80.5-75.5
Vanessa McCaughley (SC) def. Ariana Marnell (AU), 84-76.5
Avery Glynn (AU) def. Natalie Jayne (SC), 75-72
Mary Hunter Millet (SC) def. Sadie Berkhout (AU), 85.5-78
HORSEMANSHIP
Alexis Potts (SC)* def. Caroline Fredenburg (AU), 75.75-75
Lillian Laney (SC) def. Brooke Jolstad (AU), 74.25-69.5
Carly Jenkins (SC) def. Callie Hogg (AU), 75.5-73
Alyssa Jipping (SC) def. Alexia Tordoff (AU), 71.75-71.25
Ruby Voortmeyer (SC) def. Sydney Swallom (AU), 73.25-70.25
REINING
Michelle Fumagalli (AU) tied Emily Patton (SC), 70.5-70.5
Callie Hogg (AU) def. Haley Turner (SC), 70-62.5
Caroline Buchanan (AU)* def. Olivia Cardi (SC), 75.25-72.5
Sofia Tieche (AU) def. Mattie McNeill (SC), 68.5-66.5
Alexia Tordoff (AU) def. Opal Fomish (SC), 71.5-70
No. 1 Tigers fall at No. 6 South Carolina, 10-9
The No. 1 Auburn equestrian team’s comeback fell just short Saturday afternoon as the Tigers lost to No. 6 South Carolina in a Southeastern Conference match up, 10-9, in Blythewood, South Carolina.
