Auburn Equestrian Outmuscles South Carolina 13-7
The plan for Auburn was to run out to a strong lead in a pair of first-half events that heavily favored the Tigers, then use that buffer to snuff out any comeback attempt the Gamecocks might make in the second half.
When your team is loaded with All-Americans, most any plan is a good plan.
How the Meet Went
The meet started with Equitation Over Fences. As they’ve done so often this season, the Tigers Fences squad lept to an early lead, but it wasn’t without some drama.
The Gamecocks riders turned in some eye-opening scores in the first round, while Auburn seemed out of sync with their horses early on.
However as the event progressed, Auburn’s true quality showed through. Many of the Tigers’ early troubles looked to be due to quirks with the horses, as South Carolina also struggled once they took their turns in those same saddles.
Auburn’s Sophee Steckbeck, Ava Stearns, Emma Kurtz, and Ellie Ferrigno all won their points, turning the momentum in favor of the Tigers.
Meanwhile, a half-mile away in the World Equestrian Center’s Western ring, Reining had commenced. (It was literally a half-mile away. The WEC is basically a small resort town for horses that us humans are graciously allowed to visit.)
Again, the Tigers looked to be the better squad outscoring the Gamecocks 3 to 2 in the event. Auburn’s Kate Buchanan, Olivia Marino, and Isabella Tesmer each won their points, extending the lead for the Orange and Blue to 7 to 3
As Reining took its time finishing up, Equitation On the Flat had already begun. The Flat has been South Carolina’s highest-scoring event this season, so Auburn knew if they could deny their opponents a majority of points here, the odds of taking victory would skyrocket.
Cue the music: Skyrockets in flight. Afternoon delight.
Mary-Grace Segars joined Kurtz and Stearns in the winners’ circle, severely dashing South Carolina’s hopes at a comeback.
With the current score standing 10-5, the boisterous Auburn crowd waited through several lengthy judges reviews to hear the next call of, “POINT AUBURN!” that would send the Tigers through to Friday’s semifinal.
The winning point by Maddie Spak, plus two more from Caroline Fredenburg and Alexia Tordoff insured the Orange and Blue faithful would hang around Ocala for at least one more day.
A Monkey on their Backs No More
After exiting in the first round the previous two years, Auburn finally dispatched an overmatched foe in the national quarterfinals.And while the Tigers probably didn’t ride to their full potential on Thursday, they showed that this year’s team was still talented enough to survive and advance.
Up Next For Auburn
Auburn advances to face Oklahoma State on Friday at 2:00 pm Eastern. The third-seeded Cowgirls defeated six-seeded Georgia 13 to 7 in their quarterfinal.
Oklahoma State has been almost as high-powered as Auburn in Fences, Horsemanship, and Reining this season.
In Fences, Auburn boasts the nation’s highest average points, with Oklahoma State the second-best.
On the Flat, the Tigers score the second-most points nationally on average, while the Cowgirls are eleventh-best in the event.
In average Horsemanship points, Auburn and Oklahoma State land at second and third respectively.
And in Reining, Auburn averages the third-most points, with Oklahoma State averaging the fourth-most.
So if everything goes according to plan, Friday’s semifinal should favor Auburn overall, with points on the Flat expected to make the biggest difference.
The Scoresheet
South Carolina 7 - Auburn 13
FENCES:
Madeline Schaefer (SC) def Mary-Grace Segars (AU): 263-253
Sophee Steckbeck (AU) def Trinity Hammerschmidt (SC): 227-120
Ava Stearns (AU) def Bella Primavera (SC): 270-260
Emma Kurtz (AU) def Natalie Jayne (SC): 251-248
Ellie Ferrigno (AU) def Jordan Allen (SC): 253-249
FLAT:
Ellie Beard (SC) def Ellie Ferrigno (AU): 240-239
Ava Stearns (AU) def Trinity Hammerschmidt (SC): 264-234
Natalie Jayne (SC) def Sophee Steckbeck (AU): 240-228
Mary-Grace Segars (AU) def Mary Hunter Millet (SC): 224-210
Emma Kurtz (AU) def Nina Columbia (SC): 246-228
HORSEMANSHIP:
Maddie Spak (AU) def Carly Jenkins (SC): 223.5-216
Kiersten Beckner (SC) def Olivia Tordoff (AU): 227.5-218.5
Caroline Fredenburg (AU) def Alyssa Jipping (SC): 217-213
Alexa Thorpe (SC) def Madison Parduhn (AU): 223.5-218
Alexia Tordoff (AU) def Tierney Horton (SC): 231-228
REINING:
Kate Buchanan (AU) def Chloe Stephenson (SC): 212-210.5
Olivia Marino (AU) def Emilia Reutimann (SC): 219-216.5
Isabella Tesmer (AU) def Haley Turner (SC): 212-209
Emma Lane (SC) def Alexia Tordoff (AU): 213.5-212.5
Mary Margaret Coats (SC) def Caroline Buchanan (AU): 208.5-206.5
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