Auburn Equestrian Overpowers Visiting UC Davis 14-4 in Season Opener

It's Auburn Equestrian’s thirty-second-straight home win, but more importantly, it's the beginning of a new era under Head Coach Jessica Braswell.

Auburn Elvis | Sep 23, 2023

Auburn Equestrian Overpowers Visiting UC Davis 14-4 in Season Opener /

Saturday’s victory was Auburn Equestrian’s thirty-second-straight home win, but more importantly, it was the beginning of a new era under Head Coach Jessica Braswell.

Braswell made the most of her first meet at the helm of college equestrian’s premiere program, overseeing a dominant performance by her Tigers.

How the Meet Went

The day began with Equitation on the Flat. Auburn returns four starters from last year’s lineup in the event, adding heralded freshman Avery Glynn to the collection of Auburn talent. Glynn would win the point in her first collegiate ride, and also be joined by senior Ellie Ferrigno, and juniors Anna Marie Mayes and Sophee Steckbeck in the winner’s circle. Mayes’ ride brought Auburn their first Most Outstanding Performance award of the day.

A short distance away inside the western ring, things were proving a bit more challenging for the Tigers.

All five of last year’s Reining squad starters returned to the Plains this season, but the typically stout bunch had trouble getting their points Saturday. After two Auburn riders tied their Aggie counterparts, only senior Isabella Tesmer ended up scoring in the event. Although it was the lone event score for the Tigers, Tesmer’s ride still took home MOP honors.

So despite the disappointing showing in Reining, the Tigers still boasted a moderate, 5-3 halftime lead over the Aggies.

In the second half, Auburn would turn moderate into magnificent.

In recent years, Auburn has established a reputation for consistently excellent Fences performances. Saturday continued that tradition as Auburn swept all five Fences points. In addition to Ferrigno, Steckbeck, and Glynn, junior Mary-Grace Segars and freshman Alex Ryden also bested their opponents. Glynn’s first meet as an Auburn rider would become even more memorable as her ride won the MOP as well.

As the Fences team was asserting themselves, Auburn’s Horsemanship squad proved they would not be outdone either. Senior Madison Parduhn, sophomores Caroline Fredenburg and Alexia Tordoff, along with freshman Alexis Potts all scored for the Tigers. Fredenburg’s ride would also serve as the event finale, as it won yet another MOP distinction for Auburn.

When all the dust had settled and the points tallied, Auburn had overcome its slow start, rolling to an impressive 14-4 victory over the 10th-ranked Aggies.

Up Next for Auburn Equestrian

Auburn will now take to the road, squaring off against #5 Baylor in Waco, Texas, Friday October 6th. The Bears return a strong collection of Jumping Seat riders that will pose a tough challenge for the Tigers.

The Scoresheet

UC Davis 4 - Auburn 14

FENCES:
*Avery Glynn (AU) def Jessie Rechs (UCD): 90-78
Sophee Steckbeck (AU) def Lauren Kolbe (UCD): 86-83
Mary-Grace Segars (AU) def Emma Jolly (UCD): 86-84
Alex Ryden (AU) def Carly Sweeney (UCD): 82-74
Ellie Ferrigno (AU) def Sierra Gundersen (UCD): 86-80

FLAT:
Ellie Ferrigno (AU) def Marin Gilliland (UCD): 90-86
*Anna Marie Mayes (AU) def Margaret Franke (UCD): 92-89
Sophee Steckbeck (AU) def Aya Clear (UCD): 82-80
Carly Sweeney (UCD) def Mary-Grace Segars (AU): 84-67
Avery Glynn (AU) def Sierra Gundersen (UCD): 91-78

HORSEMANSHIP:
Madison Parduhn (AU) def Jordan Schween (UCD): 76-72
Alexis Potts (AU) def Maddie Gregory (UCD): 74.5-73
Alexia Tordoff (AU) def Kendall Lance (UCD): 77-74.5
Natasha Replogle (UCD) def Brooke Jolstad (AU): 74.5-73
*Caroline Fredenburg (AU) def Gracie Howell (UCD): 77-73.5

REINING:
Nicole Shroyer (UCD) def Kate Buchanan (AU): 70.5-69
Macey Newkirk (UCD) tied Caroline Buchanan (AU): 72.5-72.5
Isabella Tesmer (AU) def Lauren Langbaum (UCD): 72.5-69.5
Amber Nusser (UCD) tied Alexia Tordoff (AU): 71.5-71.5
Kendal Scheiner (UCD) def Olivia Marino (AU): 71-0

*Event MOP