NCEA Weekend Wins Go to TCU, Texas A&M, Auburn, OSU Equestrian
NCEA SCOREBOARD: FEBRUARY 19, 2019
TCU Takes Down Jackrabbits on the Road
BROOKINGS, S.D. – Behind a career day from Natalia DeVencenty, the seventh-ranked TCU equestrian program took down South Dakota State, 13-6 at DeHaan Equestrian Center.
Director of Equestrian Haley Schoolfield
“South Dakota State hosted a great meet for us today. It was nice to get a road win in a place that these athletes haven’t competed in before. Overall, today was a nice confidence builder for us.”
The Rundown
TCU began its day-long meet in Equitation over Fences where Izzy Baxter started the Frogs off on a high note with a score of 88, good enough for her third Most Outstanding Performer honor of the year. Raegan Rast also put up an impressive 78 to top SDSU’s Jessica Martinez on Colton by one point.
The meet then transformed to host the Western events and Horsemanship. The Frogs were led by Natalia DeVencenty who logged a career-high 78.5 en route to the win and her second MOP. Juniors Jamie Cook and Josie Mootz picked up the other two points, but the second highest score belonged to Cydney Benes who tied with Whitney Vesey netting no point.
The Frogs and Jackrabbits stayed in Western, this time competing in Reining. Elena Hurd picked up the first point of the event winning 69.5-0.0. She was the highest scorer for the Frogs, but it was Bella Andrews who earned her first career MOP with a score of 68.5.
The final event of the day was Equitation on the Flat, taking place 7:32 after the meet started. Freshmen Izzy Baxter and Jacey Albaugh were the only winners for TCU in the only event it did not win. South Dakota State’s Jacey Chorlton was the MOP of the event, winning 71-50 over Wynne Weatherly. Chorlton’s score was 12 points higher than the next top score (59).
Notes:
– Natalia DeVencenty earned a new career best in Horsemanship with a score of 78.5.
– After dropping a matchup for the first time in Equitation over Fences, Izzy Baxter set a career-high, claiming an 88.
– Collecting three tonight, the Horned Frogs have won 26 of the 36 MOPs awarded in competition this season.
Up Next
TCU will be back at the DeHaan Equestrian Center to finish its meet with Minnesota-Crookston. The Frogs and Golden Eagles squared off in Horsemanship before suspending action for the night. TCU brings a 4-0 lead into tomorrow’s competiton.
No. 4 Texas A&M Edges Out Sweet Briar, 5-5 (821-786)
SWEET BRIAR, Va. – No. 4 Texas A&M Equestrian defeated Sweet Briar via raw score, 5-5 (821-786), Friday in a Hunter Seat-only competition at the Rogers Riding Complex.
In the day’s first event, Equitation over Fences, Rebekah Chenelle struck first for the Aggies, topping Katie Balding, 84-83. Haley Redifer won with the largest margin of the meet, defeating Lily Peterson 86-40.
In Equitation on the Flat, Adele McKenna defeated Katie Balding with a career high 90, topping Balding’s 84. Chenelle edged out Lily Peterson, 84-83, before Caroline Boyle closed out the meet with an 84-80 victory over Charlotte Hadley.
The Aggies return to action Feb. 16th against UC Davis at 11 a.m. at the Hildebrand equine Complex. Admission to the meet is free.
Live scoring for Saturday’s meet can be found online at www.12thMan.com.
To learn more about Texas A&M Equestrian, log on to 12thMan.com or follow @AggieEquestrian on Twitter and Instagram.
No. 1 Auburn Earns 14-6 Win at No. 3 South Carolina
BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. – The No. 1 Auburn equestrian team used a strong first half to come away with a 14-6 victory on the road over No. 3 South Carolina Saturday, Feb. 16, at One Wood Farm. The Tigers moved to a perfect 10-0 overall and 4-0 in the Southeastern Conference.
“I’m so proud of the team and the atmosphere they maintained today,” head coach Greg Williams said. “Coaches Jessica Braswell and Mary Meneely continue to raise the bar for this team and the team continues to exceed those expectations. We did have a few mistakes today, but we’ve had a couple great weeks and are looking forward to the next challenge.”
A major highlight of the day was the performance of senior Lauren Diaz in Horsemanship. With her 73.5-69.5 victory, the Heath, Ohio, product collected her 37th career victory on the Plains. That total ties Griffin Knight’s (2012-16) current program record in the event.
The Tigers kicked off the day with an 8-2 lead following Horsemanship and Equitation Over Fences.
Sophomore Deanna Green opened up Horsemanship with a 69.5-69 edge over SC’s Alexa Thorpe. Classmate Taylor Searles followed with a 73-71 victory for her seventh-straight win, improving to 8-1 overall in the event. Diaz picked up her big win with 73.5 points, securing her fifth MOP honor of the season. Senior Kelsey Jung capped the event with a 72-71 win over Mackenzie Matthews, helping the Tigers finish 4-1 over the Gamecocks.
After SC took the first point in Fences, senior Ashton Alexander scored a career-high 94 points to take the win and MOP honors. Freshman McKayla Langmeier improved to 7-0 in Fences with her win over Caroline Bald, scoring a career-best 92 points. Sophomore Taylor St. Jacques and senior Caitlin Boyle put an exclamation on the first half with 89 and 91 points, respectively, in their wins.
Both Reining and Equitation on the Flat went 3-2 for the Tigers after the break.
Seniors Blair McFarlin and Betsy Brown got things started in Reining as each secured their sixth win on the season. McFarlin topped Bridgett White, 70.5-69, before Brown scored 72.5 points in her victory. Sophomore Terri-June Granger was awarded a 72.5 on her ride to take home the win.
The Flat corps was led by a trio of underclassmen in freshman Emma Kurtz, Langmeier and St. Jacques. Kurtz bested Madison Brayman, 86-81, and Langmeier topped her opponent with another 86 points. The win moved Langmeier to 8-0 on the year. St. Jacques was awarded MOP for the fourth time this season, scoring 91 points.
Auburn takes a week off before a long trip to Texas, March 1-2. The Tigers kick off the trip with another SEC contest, facing No. 4 Texas A&M, March 1, at 11 a.m. CT in College Station. The squad caps the trip at No. 2 SMU, March 2, squaring off with the Mustangs at 10 a.m. CT in Dallas.
#1 AUBURN 14, #3 SOUTH CAROLINA 6
Equitation Over Fences
Madison Brayman (SC) def. Hayley Iannotti (AU), 82-80
Ashton Alexander (AU)* def. Tyler Petrie (SC), 94-90
McKayla Langmeier (AU) def. Caroline Bald (SC), 92-78
Taylor St. Jacques (AU) def. Lizzie van der Walde (SC), 89-86
Caitlin Boyle (AU) def. Grady Lyman (SC), 91-85
Equitation on the Flat
Madison Sellman (SC) def. Hayley Iannotti (AU), 84-79
Emma Kurtz (AU) def. Madison Brayman (SC), 86-81
Grady Lyman (SC) def. Caitlin Boyle (AU), 84-76
Taylor St. Jacques (AU) def. Trinity Hammerschmidt (SC), 91-75
McKayla Langmeier (AU) def. Lizzie van der Walde (SC), 86-76
Horsemanship
Deanna Green (AU) def. Alexa Thorpe (SC), 69.5-69
Taylor Searles (AU) def. Madison Thiel (SC), 73-71
Quinn Brandt (SC) def. Kara Kaufmann (AU), 65.5-65
Lauren Diaz (AU) def. Caroline Gute (SC), 73.5-69.5
Kelsey Jung (AU) def. Mackenzie Matthews (SC), 72-71
Reining
Blair McFarlin (AU) def. Bridgett White (SC), 70.5-69
Betsy Brown (AU) def. McKenzie Duncan (SC), 72.5-69
Jordan Scott (SC) def. Ali Fratessa (AU), 73.5-71.5
Terri-June Granger (AU) der. Madison Thiel (SC), 72.5-70
Caroline Gute (SC) def. Deanna Green (AU), 69.5-68.5
For the latest on Auburn Equestrian, follow @AuburnEQ on Twitter and visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/AuburnEQ.
Frogs Return Home After 14-2 Victory
BROOKINGS, S.D. – After beginning the meet yesterday with Horsemanship, the seventh-ranked TCU equestrian team finished off a 14-2 victory over Minnesota-Crookston Saturday afternoon and took home all four Most Outstanding Performer honors.
Director of Equestrian Haley Schoolfield- “We had solid rides today and we tried to challenge ourselves to make improvements from our meet yesterday against South Dakota State. It will be a quick turn-around for us now to prepare for UC Davis and Oklahoma State this upcoming week.”
The Rundown- The Horned Frogs and Golden Eagles begun their meet Friday, squaring off in Horsemanship. The Frogs were able to pull off a sweep earning three exceptionally high scores. Drew Rogers and Anna Hauter both grabbed a 76 while Cydney Benes turned in a 75.5. Hauter won the MOP, the first of her career.
Kicking off the action this morning, the Frogs picked up a 3-1 victory in Equitation over Fences. All three points earned by the Horned Frogs were by scores of 80 or more. Niki Barned finished with 81 points, good enough for an MOP, and was the highest scorer of the event.
The arena then changed over to Western for Reining. Josie Ferrante and Skylar Smith were the highest scorers of the event each grabbing a 68.5. Smith picked up the MOP, while Ferrante broke back into the win column. MG Reed won the third point for TCU, she won 65-0 on Gina over Jordyn Newberg.
The day concluded with Equitation on the Flat where the Frogs marked their second sweep. Wynne Weatherly punched in a 78, winning the Most Outstanding Performer, on Trooper. Lily Geelan won her second point in as many competitive tries. Niki Barnes and Izzy Baxter also picked up wins for TCU on General and Zappire, respectively.
Notes
– Despite temperatures as low as -20 degrees in South Dakota, the Horned Frogs were hot inside, securing the largest margin of victory on the road this season.
– Today’s meet marked the first ever matchup between TCU and Minnesota-Crookston.
-Skylar Smith earned her first career MOP in the meet.
-Anna Hauter also won her first career MOP.
Up Next
TCU returns to Texas to take on the newest NCEA program, UC Davis on Thursday, Feb. 21, at Turning Point Ranch.
No. 4 Texas A&M Tops UC Davis, 14-2
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — No. 4 Texas A&M Equestrian defeated UC Davis 14-2, Saturday at the Hildebrand Equine Complex.
“I was really proud of them,” head coach Tana McKay said. “We had some adjustments we wanted to make from our last meet at Georgia in Hunter Seat as well from their meet yesterday at Sweet Briar. So, I feel like they made those adjustments so I’m really proud of them for that.”
The Maroon & White jumped out to an early 3-1 lead after Equitation over Fences as Grace Boston struck first, defeating Stephanie Don, 83-79. Brianna Sims topped Keely Laughlin, 87-78, before Haley Redifer closed out the event with an 88-69 victory over Lilly Ulrich to earn Most Outstanding Player (MOP) honors.
Texas A&M (7-3) extended its lead to 7-1 after sweeping Horsemanship. Katie Conklin led the way with a score of 72, bettering Katie Flinn’s 69.5. Ashley Davidson followed suit and outscored Lauren Mooney, 71-56.5. Sarah Orsak added a point for the Maroon & White with a 73.5-66 advantage over Laurel Jackson. Alex Albright defeated Olivia Russell by a nine-point margin, 74-65, notching MOP recognition.
The Maroon & White went on to take Equitation on the Flat, 4-0. Ellie Williams opened the event for Texas A&M with an 84-82 victory over Lilly Ulrich. Brianna Peddicord defeated Keely Laughlin, 84-79, before Nicole Leonard earned her first career MOP after recording an 86 against Sabin Marquardt’s 82. Adele McKenna closed the meet with an 87-79 win over Laura Wise.
In the final event, Reining, the Maroon & White won 3-1. Shelby Reine drew first blood, defeating Charlize Zuraek, 65-61.5. Lisa Bricker was named MOP after she edged out Haley Fredericks, 69-67. Darby Gardner closed the event with a 69.5-66.5 victory over Olivia Russell.
Texas A&M returns to action against South Carolina on Saturday, Feb. 23. The meet is slated to begin at 10 a.m. at the Hildebrand Equine Complex.
To learn more about Texas A&M Equestrian, log on to 12thMan.com and follow @AggieEquestrian on Twitter and Instagram.
Cowgirls Oust Mustangs in Totusek Arena
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State’s eighth-ranked equestrian team defeated No. 2 SMU, 13-7, Saturday in Totusek Arena.
OSU, which improved to 3-5 on the season, got out to a quick lead, taking Equitation Over Fences, 3-2, as Hannah Janson, Katie Schell and Abigail Brayman earned victories for the Cowgirls. Brayman, a sophomore, earned Most Outstanding Performer in Fences, her third such honor of the season and eighth of her career. Schell, a sophomore, has won three of her last four meets in Fences.
“Katie (Schell) is someone that has to process everything that she does,” OSU head coach Larry Sanchez said. “She is finding herself and what she needs to do, mentally, to be ready to compete at this level. I think it’s all coming together for her because she’s figured out how to process and execute.”
The Cowgirls defeated SMU in Horsemanship, 4-1. Emma Verplank won her first MOP for her performance on Scotty, in which she bested Megan Waldron by a 75.5-74.5 count. Sarah Miller, Harley Huff and Natalie Alcorn were victorious in their matchups as well. Miller, Huff and Alcorn have won five, four and three straight matchups, respectively.
Up 7-3 at the halfway point, the Cowgirls showed no signs of slowing down as they clinched Equitation on the Flat, 3-2. Schell recorded her second victory of the day and a season-high score of 86 on the Flat. Brayman followed suit and notched her second victory of the day on the Flat as well.
“I was really excited with the flat team,” Brayman said. “I thought that we rode better than we usually do. Not that we don’t usually ride well, but we’ve just had little spurts here and there. Today I thought everyone was good overall.”
Standout freshmen Katie Pelzel and Sydnie Ziegler both recorded season highs in their matchups, Pelzel in victory and Ziegler in defeat.
With the overall lead at 10-5, the No. 3 OSU reining team took down SMU’s second-ranked squad, 3-2, to put an exclamation point on the upset victory. In the event, Kristi Wiggins scored a season-high 72.5 on Boss, while Stephanie Helsen won her fourth point in her last five meets.
“(Myself and the coaching staff) know this team has the ability to ride with the best teams in the country,” Sanchez. “We were on the road a lot in the fall and went up against some tough teams and fell short on most of those. It was good to be back in Stillwater, and it’s good to see the girls’ confidence is where it is and that they were able to compete at this level.”
The Cowgirls return to Totusek Arena for a Big 12 meet against TCU on Feb. 23 at 10 a.m.
