AUBURN, AL (EETV) – On Saturday, 1st-ranked and undefeated Auburn Equestrian (4-0) took on the 10th-ranked UT Martin Skyhawks in Martin, Tennessee, for another matchup of two nationally ranked NCEA programs. With the Tigers displaying peak performance in Saturday’s rides, they continue their campaign for an NCEA Championship in the 2024-25 season.
To begin Saturday’s first event, Auburn’s Jumping Seat riders began with the Fence event with five points available for the taking.
Avery Glynn (So.) took the reins for the Tigers scoring an 88 versus Gabby Adams’ score of 86 for the Skyhawks. Auburn’s Sophee Steckbeck (Sr.) scored an event high of 90 to further propel the Tigers towards their first event win of the meet. Glynn and Steckbeck’s rides helped solidify Auburn’s strong presence in the Fence event.
The Tigers take the Fence event win with a score of 4-1, making for a quick start as Auburn as began the Horsemanship event.
Next up in Saturday’s meet was the Horsemanship event featuring Auburn’s Western riders who came off a strong performance last Saturday versus No. 4 SMU.
Auburn’s very own Alexia Tordoff (Jr.) scored a Horsemanship event high of 77.5 to take the point for the Tigers, and further bolster their performance in a close event matchup with UT Martin. Lauren Hall (Jr.) and Brooke Jolstad (So.) scored 74.5 in each of their respective rides to take two points for Auburn. The Skyhawks responded to the Tigers' push for another win as they took two points for UT Martin.
Auburn is victorious in the Horsemanship event with an event score of 3-2. With their second event win, the Tigers lead the Skyhawks heading into the second half with an overall score of 7-3.
To start the second half for the Tigers, Jumping Seat riders trotted back into the arena for the Flat event with their sights set on a third consecutive event win. Sadie Berkhout (Fr.) and Avery Glynn (So.) both took home identical scores of 80 in each of their flatwork rides, taking two points for Auburn. To continue the Tigers' streak of success, Ellie Ferrigno (Gr.) and Mary-Grace Segars (Sr.) also earned identical scores of 78 in their respective rides.
The Tigers take the Flat event win with an event score of 4-1 to push Auburn into the final stretch of the meet.
Inching closer to an Auburn win, the Tigers began the Reigning event with Catie Reachard (Fr.), Michelle Fumagalli (Fr.), and Alexia Tordoff (Jr.) each having timely performances. Reachard and Fumagalli both scored 69.5 to take two points for Auburn, with Tordoff scoring 71.5 to seal the Auburn event win with a score of 3-2.
The final score from Martin, Tennessee was UT Martin six and Auburn 14. With the Tigers’ Saturday win, they remain undefeated with a 4-0 record on the 2024-25 season. Once again, Auburn Equestrian will keep its sights set on continuing the passion and success heading into the upcoming matchup. The Tigers will travel to Stillwater, Oklahoma, to face No. 4 Oklahoma State University on Friday at 12:00 PM CDT.
