Auburn Equestrian Hits Their Stride and Defeats South Carolina 14-4

After a slow start on the meet’s first event, the Tigers only allowed the Gamecocks a single point throughout the rest of the day.

Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Auburn Equestrian entered Friday undefeated, as they hosted South Carolina in the last home meet of the fall. The SEC rivals were unintimidated by the Tigers’ longstanding home success and opened the day with strong early rides.

But the initial Gamecock charge would be withstood and answered, as Auburn once again proved to be unbeatable at home.

How the Meet Went

Auburn’s typical formula for victory has been to win heavily in the Jumping Seat events, then cruise to victory with a modest amount of Western points. A strong South Carolina showing in Equitation on the Flat forced Auburn to flip their usual script in the first half.

Sophomore Baylee Mckeever would gain Auburn’s only point in the opening event, and after her teammate, junior Mary Grace Segars notched a no-point draw, Auburn would lose the Flat 3-1.

Unshaken by the Gamecock’s strong initial charge, Auburn would rally and seize control of the meet.

Auburn dominated Reining as seniors Kate Buchanan, Isabella Tesmer and Olivia Marino joined sophomore Caroline Buchanan in the winners’ circle. The last Tiger in the event, sophomore Alexia Tordoff, earned a no-point tie, denying the Gamecocks any Reining points.

Regardless of the unconventional manner it was achieved, Auburn’s 5-3 halftime lead felt familiar. The Tigers were just five points away from victory with their strongest event, Equitation Over Fences upcoming.

Auburn’s Fences squad blasted their overmatched counterparts, with graduate Ava Stearns, seniors Grace Pearson and Ellie Ferrigno, as well as junior Sophee Steckbeck each scoring points for the Tigers.

The 4-1 Fences win was an emphatic start to the second half for the Tigers. And amazingly, Auburn would fare even better in Horsemanship.

All five Tiger Horsemanship riders would win their points: senior Madison Parduhn, sophomores Alexia Tordoff and Caroline Fredenburg, and freshmen Brooke Jolstad and Alexis Potts.

Auburn’s explosive finish kept the Tigers perfect on the season, and showed that even after a slow initial start, they have the firepower to take control of a meet.

Up Next for Auburn

This was Auburn's last home meet of the fall. Next, the Tigers will hit the road for a pair of very challenging road meets, at Texas A&M on Nov 10, then at SMU the following day.

The Scoresheet

South Carolina 4 - Auburn 14

FENCES:
Jordan Allen (SC) def Mary-Grace Segars (AU): 83-81
Ava Stearns (AU) def Alexa Aureliano (SC): 85-61
Grace Pearson (AU) def Natalie Jayne (SC): 90-80
Ellie Ferrigno (AU) def Madeline Schaefer (SC): 88-75
Sophee Steckbeck (AU) def Sophie Mitchell (SC): 90-89

FLAT:
Baylee Mckeever (AU) def Mary Hunter Millet (SC): 88-87
Ellie Beard (SC) def Ellie Ferrigno (AU): 90-89
Sarah Rabb (SC) tied Mary-Grace Segars (AU): 91-91
Natalie Jayne (SC) def Ava Stearns (AU): 88-85
Sophie Mitchell (SC) def Sophee Steckbeck (AU): 89-85

HORSEMANSHIP:
Brooke Jolstad (AU) def Ruby Voortmeyer (SC): 75.5-73
*Alexia Tordoff (AU) def Alyssa Jipping (SC): 77.5-75
Alexis Potts (AU) def Jenna Berghorst (SC): 75-72.5
Caroline Fredenburg (AU) def Tierney Horton (SC): 76-74.5
Madison Parduhn (AU) def Kiersten Beckner (SC): 76.5-76

REINING:
Caroline Buchanan (AU) def Chloe Stephenson (SC): 72.5-0
Kate Buchanan (AU) def Emilia Reutimann (SC): 72-71.5
Isabella Tesmer (AU) def Emma Lane (SC): 71-70.5
Olivia Marino (AU) def Mattilyn McNeill (SC): 70-69.5
Haley Turner (SC) tied Alexia Tordoff (AU): 71.5-71.5