NCEA Weekend Recap- Auburn, TCU, South Carolina, Georgia, Baylor Score Wins
NCEA SCOREBOARD: FEBRUARY 11, 2019
No. 1 Tigers Handle No. 10 UT Martin, 17-0
AUBURN, Ala. – The No. 1 Auburn equestrian team opened up a busy weekend at the Auburn University Equestrian Center with an impressive 17-0 win over No. 10 UT Martin Friday afternoon. The victory marked the third-straight win over a Top 10 team in 2019 and moved the Tigers to 8-0 on the year.
“This team is riding at such a high level,” head coach Greg Williams said. “We have a lot of momentum right now and are really going on all cylinders.”
The Hunt Seat crew went a perfect 10-for-10, sweeping the Skyhawks in both Equitation Over Fences and Equitation on the Flat. On the Western side, the Tigers finished the day with a 7-0-3 mark between Horsemanship and Reining.
Friday also marked the third-consecutive meet that the Tigers swept the Most Outstanding Performer honors. Picking up the awards on the Hunt Seat side were sophomore Taylor St. Jacques and senior Hayley Iannotti. St. Jacques earned her third nod in Fences this year, while Iannotti picked up her first MOP award of the season in Flat.
Sophomore Taylor Searles picked up MOP recognition in Horsemanship after she scored a career-best 77 points. Senior Ali Fratessa was awarded her team-best third MOP in Reining of the season to close out the meet.
Senior Ashton Alexander kicked off Fences with a 77-68 win before St. Jacques finished with an 83-67 victory over Abbie Hopkins to earn MOP. Freshman McKayla Langmeier improved to a perfect 6-0 on the year in the event with a 10-point win (86-76), while classmate Emma Kurtz edged her opponent, 80-77. Iannotti capped the event with an 84-79 victory.
Searles opened Horsemanship with a big score, earning a career-best 77 points in her four-point win. The Scottsdale, Ariz., product moved to 6-1 on the season with the victory. Classmate Deanna Green tied her season best with 76 points in her win, while seniors Lauren Diaz and Kelsey Jung each set season highs with 76 points each in their victories.
After the break, the Hunt Seat corps put together another sweep in Equitation on the Flat and saw four of five Tigers finish with 90 points or more. The 5-0 finish in the event marked the third-straight meet the Flat crew has swept their opponents. Kurtz and Langmeier finished with 90 and 91 points, respectively, to open things up. Iannotti secured MOP recognition with a career-high 95, besting her opponent by 11 points. That total also marked a season best for all Tigers this year.
Senior Caitlin Boyle and St. Jacques closed out the event with wins. Boyle bested Monika Zoromski, 88-81, before St. Jacques topped Quinn Reed, 93-82.
Auburn finished the day with a 3-0-2 record in Reining and was led by Fratessa’s 72.5 for the MOP. The win lifted the Wheelock, Texas, product to 7-1 on the year. Senior Betsy Brown picked up her second-straight victory with a 69-68.5 edge over McAuley Ross. Green put an exclamation to the day with a 69.5-0 win, improving to 6-1 on the year in the event.
The Tigers close out the weekend Saturday, hosting South Dakota State at 11 a.m. CT at the Auburn University Equestrian Center. The contest is also the program’s annual Alumni Meet.
#1 AUBURN 17, #10 UT MARTIN 0
Equitation Over Fences
Ashton Alexander (AU) def. Brooke Pfeiffer (UTM), 77-68
Taylor St. Jacques (AU)** def. Abbie Hopkins (UTM), 83-67
McKayla Langmeier (AU) def. Monika Zoromski (UTM), 86-76
Emma Kurtz (AU) def. Grace Rogers (UTM), 80-77
Hayley Iannotti (AU) def. Kelby Kane (UTM), 84-79
Equitation on the Flat
Emma Kurtz (AU) def. Abbie Hopkins (UTM), 90-84
McKayla Langmeier (AU) def. Kenzie Mezrah (UTM), 91-77
Hayley Iannotti (AU)** def. Kelby Kane (UTM), 95-84
Caitlin Boyle (AU) def. Monika Zoromski (UTM), 88-81
Taylor St. Jacques (AU) def. Quinn Reed (UTM), 93-82
Horsemanship
Taylor Searles (AU)** def. Devon Woods (UTM), 77-73
Deanna Green (AU) def. Lucy Eier (UTM), 76-75
Kara Kaufmann (AU) tied McAuley Ross (UTM), 72.5-72.5
Lauren Diaz (AU) def. Tess Baumann (UTM), 76-73.5
Kelsey Jung (AU) def. Bailey Newlin (UTM), 76-74.5
Reining
Terri-June Granger (AU) tied Hannah McDonald (UTM), 72-72
Betsy Brown (AU) def. McAUley Ross (UTM), 69-68.5
Blair McFarlin (AU) tied Sammi Felts (UTM), 71.5-71.5
Ali Fratessa (AU) def. Tess Baumann (UTM), 72.5-71
Deanna Green (AU) def. Madi Mykolaitis (UTM), 69.5-0
For the latest on Auburn Equestrian, follow @AuburnEQ on Twitter and visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/AuburnEQ.
No. 1 Tigers Sweep South Dakota State, 20-0
AUBURN, Ala. – The No.1 Auburn equestrian team finished up the weekend with an impressive performance at the Auburn Equestrian Center, earning a commanding 20-0 win over South Dakota State Saturday. After two wins over the weekend, the Tigers improved to 9-0 on the season.
“This was better than yesterday’s performance,” head coach Greg Williams said. “The team has been riding at a very high level all year and we’re continuing to clean up areas that could lose us points. I’m just impressed with how they continue to work hard for each other and I’m happy we were able to put a performance together today for our alumni that were here.”
The Hunt Seat crew went a perfect 10-for-10, sweeping the Jackrabbits in both Equitation Over Fences and Equitation on the Flat. On the Western side, the Tigers finished the day with another sweep between Horsemanship and Reining.
The Tigers took all of the Most Outstanding Performer honors for the fourth-consecutive meet, making it 2-for-2 over the weekend. Picking up the awards on the Hunt Seat side were seniors Caitlin Boyle and Hayley Iannotti. Iannotti earned her second-consecutive MOP award in Flat. On the Western side, sophomore Deanna Green and senior Lauren Diaz received the recognition in Reining and Horsemanship, respectively.
The Fences crew hit the ground running with senior Ashton Alexander taking a comfortable win of 86-75 over Sydney House. Freshman Emma Kurtz followed with another win, 85-78, while Iannotti gave another point to the Tigers after a score of 84-75. The Wellington, Fla., product improved to 7-0-0 in the event this season. Boyle and sophomore Taylor St. Jacques closed down the event with a point each, winning 88-84 and 90-83, respectively.
In the Flat, Auburn continued its undefeated run in the event, extending its unbeaten streak to four-consecutive meets. Alexander collected the first point with an 89-74 win, while Boyle beat Claire Garduno, 87-81. Iannotti (8-0-1), Kurtz (5-0) and Langmeier (7-0) prolonged their unbeaten runs after wins of 90-87, 86-74 and 87-77.
On the Western side, the Tigers didn’t slow down. The Horsemanship corps got their second-straight sweep thanks to an outstanding job by all five riders, who all received season highs in the event. Green opened by defeating her opponent 76.5-70 before Diaz picked up MOP honors after her impressive 77-74 victory over Jadyn Taylor. Junior Kara Kaufmann and senior Kelsey Jung got the job done as each scored 76.5 points. Sophomore Taylor Searles completed the sweep, edging Whitney Vesey, 77-75.5. The score marked the second-straight meet with a 77 for Searles.
Auburn finished the day with a strong performance in Reining. Sophomore Terri-June Granger got things started with a 71.5-67 victory. Senior Ali Fratessa followed with a clse win of 72-71, extending her winning streak to six matches. Green collected her first MOP honors in the event thanks to her 71-70 victory over Catelyn Hall. Senior Blair McFarlin got the 19th point of the meet for the Tigers with a 72-70.5 triumph and classmate Betsy Brown completed the sweep with a score of 70-67.5.
The Tigers will face the nationally-ranked South Carolina on the road, Feb. 16, looking to stretch their unbeaten record and to take their fourth win in the Southeastern Conference.
#1 AUBURN 20, SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 0
Equitation Over Fences
Ashton Alexander (AU) def. Sydney House (SDSU), 85-75
Emma Kurtz (AU) def. Alexa Maiello (SDSU), 85-78
Hayley Iannotti (AU) def. Jessica Martinez (SDSU), 84-75
Caitlin Boyle (AU)** def. Claire Garduno (SDSU), 88-84
Taylor St. Jacques (AU) def. Jacey Chorlton (SDSU), 90-83
Equitation on the Flat
Ashton Alexander (AU) def. Sydney House (SDSU), 89-74
Emma Kurtz (AU) def. Jessica Martinez (SDSU), 86-74
McKayla Langmeier (AU) def. Alexa Maiello (SDSU), 87-77
Caitlin Boyle (AU) def. Claire Garduno (SDSU), 87-81
Hayley Iannotti (AU)** def. Jacey Chorlton (SDSU), 90-87
Horsemanship
Deanna Green (AU) def. Rylee Streit (SDSU), 76.5-70
Kara Kaufmann (AU) def. Jordan Gates (SDSU), 76.5-75
Kelsey Jung (AU) def. Kodi O’Boyle (SDSU), 76.5-72
Lauren Diaz (AU)** def. Jadyn Taylor (SDSU), 77-74
Taylor Searles (AU) def. Whitney Versey (SDSU), 77-75.5
Reining
Terri-June Granger (AU) def. Cassidy Gardiner (SDSU), 71.5-67
Ali Fratessa (AU) def. Rylee Streit (SDSU), 72-71
Deanna Green (AU)** def. Catelyn Hall (SDSU), 71-70
Blair McFarlin (AU) def. Jordan Gates (SDSU), 72-70.5
Betsy Brown (AU) def. Amelia Nelson (SDSU), 70-67.5
For the latest on Auburn Equestrian, follow @AuburnEQ on Twitter and visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/AuburnEQ.
TCU Equestrian Earns Pair of Victories in Virginia
SWEET BRIAR, Va. – In its first regular-season contests since November, the No. 6 TCU equestrian team took down Sweet Briar, 8-2, Friday morning before turning around and picking up a 7-1 win over Lynchburg at the Harriett Howell Rogers Riding Center in Sweet Briar, Va.
TCU continued to show strong individually, earning all four Most Outstanding Performer honors awarded on the day.
Director of Equestrian Haley Schoolfield:
“Our riders did an excellent job of focusing on the task at hand and riding their horse to the best of its ability. We aim to carry that momentum to tomorrow and have more strong rides in South Carolina.”
The Rundown
The Horned Frogs kicked off the day with a 4-1 victory over Sweet Briar in Equitation over Fences. Wynne Weatherly, Izzy Baxter, and Raegan Rast all scored over 80, earning scores of 80, 82 and 80, respectively. It was Alex Beneson, however, who picked up her first MOP on the season, winning 79-71 on Aate.
TCU finished its meet with Sweet Briar winning 4-1 in Equitation on the Flat. Janelle Henningsen scored the highest in the event with a 65, good enough to win the MOP. Freshman Wynne Weatherly earned the biggest victory of the event, winning 62-54 on Jakson.
The Frogs then turned their attention to Lynchburg in the second meet of the day and started with Equitation on the Flat, where they swept the Hornets. Janelle Henningsen claimed her second MOP honor of the day, winning 58-48 on Ozzie. Alex Beneson put together a strong showing on the Flat winning 60-0.
In Equitation over Fences, TCU was victorious, 3-1. In the three points the Frogs earned, they scored over 78 in each one. Jacey Albaugh earned her second career MOP with a 78-74 win. Grace Upshaw was the high-scorer of the event earning a 80.
Notes
– Janelle Henningsen remained undefeated on the season at 5-0-2, she also earned her first and second MOPs of the season.
– The Frogs earned a sweep in Equitation on the Flat for the fourth time this season.
– TCU has now earned 23 of the 28 MOP honors awarded this season.
-The average score for TCU in Equitation on the Flat was 58.3, but that did not stop TCU from earning nine points in the event.
No. 4 Carolina Downs No. 6 TCU, 13-5
BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. – The South Carolina equestrian team defeated TCU, 13-5, on Saturday morning at One Wood Farm in Blythewood. The Gamecocks also took the Hunter Seat portion of the meet, 8-1, and the Western side, 5-4.
No. 4 South Carolina (5-3, 1-2 SEC) swept all of the MOP honors over No. 6 TCU (2-4, 1-1 Big 12). In Equitation Over Fences, Lyman was awarded for her 86-point ride. Lizzie van der Walde earned the honor with her 82 in Equitation on the Flat. In Horsemanship, Quinn Brandt was named MOP after a high-scoring 78.5 ride. Finally, in Reining, Bridgett White was awarded for her 71-point victory.
“I think we had a good day,” head coach Boo Major said. “Certainly, a great congratulations to TCU. They’re a great team and I know they had a long day (Friday) up at Sweet Briar. They gave us a run for our money, but our girls rode really well. We do have a little bit of homework to do for next week, but I’m very pleased with how things went (Saturday).”
Carolina won the Equitation Over Fences portion of the meet, 4-0. Lyman started things off with a, 86-68, win against Alex Beneson on Cita. Riding on Redford, van der Walde topped Grace Upshaw on Redford, 73-68. Caroline Bald followed with a victory opposite of Raegan Rast, 84-82, on Batman. Madison Brayman and Wynne Weatherly knotted, 83-83, on Joe. Finishing out the round, Tyler Petrie downed Izzy Baxter atop Mack, 81-76.
The Gamecocks also took Horsemanship, edging out TCU, 3-2. Competing on Tulip, Caroline Gutedefeated Jamie Cook, 77.5-73.5. Up next, Madison Thiel topped Drew Rogers by half of a point, 78-77.5, on Jazz. Brandt also slid by her opponent, Natalia DeVencenty, by half of a point on Caper, 78.5-78.
South Carolina claimed the Equitation on the Flat part of the meet, winning 4-1. Brayman earned a, 73-71, victory opposite of Janelle Henningsen on Glen. Riding on Marquee, Madison Sellmantopped Baxter, 77-62. Up next, van der Walde rode to a, 82-69, victory on Ollie over Beneson. Finishing the event for the Gamecocks, Lyman tallied a, 80-72, opposite of Jacey Albaugh on Volan.
Carolina won in the raw score in Reining, 2-2, 349.5-343.5, against the Horned Frogs. McKenzie Duncannotched a victory for the Gamecocks, 69.5-68, against Skylar Smith on Stoner. White closed out the day with a, 71-64.5, victory on Nike over Elena Hurd.
“We’ve had a wonderful start to the semester,” Major said. “Coach Sorrel and Coach Terebesi have these girls firing on all cylinders. We have our work cut out for us next week with Auburn coming in. They’ve been number one since the beginning of the semester last fall. We didn’t do very well against them last semester so I think our girls are really looking forward to next weekend.”
Up next, the Gamecocks host No. 1 Auburn on Saturday, Feb. 16, at 10 a.m., at One Wood Farm.
Continue to check back with gamecocksonline.com for more updates or follow the team on social media (@GamecockEQ).
No. 8 Georgia Takes Down No. 2 Texas A&M, 12-8
Bishop, Ga. – The eighth-ranked University of Georgia equestrian team rode to another upset victory over No. 2 Texas A&M, 12-8, on Saturday at the UGA Equestrian Complex, in Bishop, Georgia.
Georgia tabbed their second SEC victory and is now 2-0 over the Aggies for the 2018-19 season.
Georgia tallied three Most Outstanding Performance (MOP) honors. Senior Maddie Anger scored a career-best of 79 to set a season-high score for the Bulldogs in Horsemanship. Senior Madison Newman and junior Annabeth Payne also received MOPs for each of their rides in Equitation on the Flat and Reining, respectively.
“I think today was about making sure we made progress and steps forward,” Georgia head coach Meghan Boenig said. “We have been working on trusting and believing in our skills and really being able to push things- to not ride conservative anymore and to make sure that support is in everything that we see, including our horse. The was just an incredible day, to see that realization in so many riders- three MOPs, three event wins. There is a lot to be very proud of today.”
Georgia (3-4, 2-2 SEC) claimed the first event of the day, Equitation Over Fences, 3-2. Senior captain Emma Mandarino scored the first point of the day defeating her opponent 79 to 77. Juniors Maddy Darst and Sydney Hutchins secured the next two points earning scores of 77 and 78 for their rides, respectively.
Anger rode to an event high for Horsemanship with a score of 79 to win one of the two points scored by Bulldogs. Senior Graysen Stroud defeated her opponent by a six-point margin, 75.5 to 69.5. Texas A&M (6-3, 1-3 SEC) won the event 3-2.
At halftime, the Bulldogs and Aggies were tied at 5-5.
Newman notched a season-high score of 91 to earn the first point for the Bulldogs in Equitation on the Flat. Junior Ali Tritschler and sophomore Hayley Mairano rode to scores of 67 and 80, respectively, to give the Bulldogs two more points. Junior Grace Bridges defeated Aggie Adele McKenna, 84-77, giving the decision to Georgia by a score of 4-1.
The Bulldogs earned three-straight points for the Southeastern Conference (SEC) win over the Aggies. Stroud and Payne earned their season best scores of 74.5 and 74, respectively. Sophomore Jordan Carpenter defeated Courtney Yohey 72.5-71.5. The Bulldogs won the event 3-2.
Next, the No. 8-ranked Georgia Bulldogs take competition on the road to Baylor, Texas, to face No. 5 Baylor on Saturday, Feb. 23 at noon ET. Georgia will host their final home meet of the season and will recognize all senior riders on Saturday, March 2, at 1 p.m.
HOW TO FOLLOW GEORGIA EQUESTRIAN: For complete information on Georgia equestrian, follow the team on its social media channels via @UGAEquestrian on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
No. 5 Baylor EQ Earns 11-8 Victory Over No. 7 OSU
THE RUNDOWN
WACO, Texas – No. 5 Baylor equestrian (5-3, 2-1 Big 12) pocketed an 11-8 home win over No. 7 Oklahoma State (2-5, 1-2 Big 12) in its first conference meet of spring play Saturday afternoon at the Willis Family Equestrian Center.
The morning started out with fences where the Bears and the Cowgirls battled it out with BU clinching a close 3-2 victory in the event. Madison Day, Shannon Hogue and Catherine Moorhead each snagged points for the Bears with Day’s 88 earning MOP honors.
In reining, BU braved the cold, besting OSU 3-1. Maggie Cincotta and Sydney Scheckel earned the first points for BU, with Scheckel’s 72.5 claiming MOP honors. Georgia Smith secured the winning point in the event for the Bears following a re-ride, bringing overall scores 6-3 with Baylor leading at the half.
The second half of the meet started back up with equitation on the flat, where BU defended their lead with a 4-1 win in the discipline. Grace Thiel, Shannon Hogue, Madison Day and Rachael Davis each contributed points with Davis’ 91 earning the MOP nod.
The meet ended with horsemanship, where the Bears faced the elements once more, falling 4-1 to OSU. Kaylee Mellott claimed the lone point for BU with an MOP-earning score of 76.5.
Fans can keep up with Baylor’s equestrian team on Twitter (@BaylorEQ), Facebook (Baylor Equestrian) and Instagram (@BaylorEquestrian).
STAT OF THE MEET
4 – The number of Baylor riders who earned MOP honors.
WHAT’S NEXT
BU will take a break from competition next week and hit the ring again in a home meet on Friday, Feb. 23 against No. 8 Georgia at the Willis Family Equestrian Center in Waco, Texas.
