AUBURN, AL (EETV) – On Saturday, 1st-ranked Auburn Equestrian (3-0) faced off against the 4th-ranked SMU Mustangs in a battle of two NCEA powerhouses. With Saturday’s performance, Auburn strongly solidified their position as the top equestrian program in the nation.
The Tigers entered Saturday’s meet with high hopes after coming off a 14-5 road win against 7th-ranked South Carolina. The meet began with the Reining and Flat events as Auburn’s Most Outstanding Performer honoree Sophee Steckbeck (Sr.) scored a 91 against SMU’s Hensley Humphries’ score of 82.5 in the Flat pattern to earn the Tigers their first point of the afternoon. Augusta Iwasaki and Aeda Mooney of SMU tested the Tigers’ performance as they scored two points for the Mustangs. Auburn’s Avery Glynn (So.) and Ellie Ferrigno (Gr.) bolstered the Tiger’s lead as the Flat event came to a close with an event score of 3-2.
When it came to the Reining event, the Tigers showed their dominance in the pattern as Auburn’s Olivia Bradley (Gr.), Caroline Buchanan (Jr.), and Michelle Fumagalli (Fr.) all scored a point in each of their respective performances to end Reining with a score of 3-1. As Auburn’s Jumping Seat and Western riders began to complete their first events, it became evident that the Tigers were not slowing down as Auburn led SMU 6-3 in the first half, before beginning the Fence and Horsemanship events.
Passionate Auburn fans packed the stands surrounding the Fence event to show their support as Mary-Grace Segars (Sr.), Avery Glynn (So.), and Kate Hagerty (Fr.) showed excellence in each of their individual performances scoring three points for Auburn. SMU kept the event competitive as they responded to Auburn’s scoring run with two points of their own. At the end of the Fence event, Auburn was victorious with an event score of 3-2. In the final event of Saturday’s meet, the Tigers competed in the Horsemanship event as they looked to seal their third consecutive win of the season. Auburn had timely performances from Sydney Swallom (So.) and Alexia Tordoff (Jr.) in each of their Horsemanship patterns, with Swallom scoring a 75 and Tordoff scoring a 76.25 to give the Tigers their final two points, sealing the overall win versus SMU.
The final score from the Auburn University Equestrian Center wass SMU six and Auburn 11. After Saturday’s Auburn win, the Tigers remain undefeated at 3-0 on the season. Auburn Equestrian will look to build upon their energy and success as they will face UT Martin in Martin, Tennessee on Saturday, October 26th at 11:00 AM CDT.
