Auburn equestrian routed by Texas A&M, 5-13
The day started off with Reining, an event in which the Aggies have been particularly strong this season. In the fall, A&M shut-out Auburn’s reiners 3-0, so any points the Tigers could take here would be cause for celebration.
A no-point tie between the first pair of riders set the tone for the event. After Auburn’s Isabella Tesmer drew the same score as her opponent, the remaining four points were split between the teams. Auburn’s Alexia Tordoff and Caroline Buchanan each got points for the Tigers, with Tordoff securing the Most Outstanding Performance in the event.
All things considered, 2-2 event score was a decent start for the Tigers. But things soon got out of hand.
The other first half event was Equitation on the Flat. The head-to-head matchups in this event bore a striking similarity to the fall meet, with the first three matchups pitting the same set of riders against one another again. In the fall Auburn won all three of those points, but in today’s meet all three of those points went to the Aggies.
Yep. It was gonna be that kind of a day.
Auburn’s Sophee Steckbeck took the only point in the event for the Tigers, to limit the damage to 4-1 Aggies.
Texas A&M held a strong 6 to 3 lead at the half, but with the remaining two events being Auburn’s strongest, the Tigers’ path to victory was still in sight.
Auburn’s Equitation Over Fences team is often regarded as the best in the country, but that reputation took a hit on Saturday. Auburn’s top two riders, both previously undefeated, lost to their less-accomplished opponents.
Auburn’s Emma Kurtz and Sophee Steckbeck were the only Tigers to secure points in the event, giving Texas A&M the 3-2 advantage there.
The final event of the day was Horsemanship. Both teams have strong squads, but with the kind of day Auburn was having in the saddle, nothing could be taken for granted.
Auburn’s best effort in the event was a no-point tie Maddie Spak earned with her opponent. All four other points went to A&M, for a 4-0 sweep by the Aggies.
What Happened?
It’s difficult to say why Auburn underperformed so badly Saturday. Statistically, Auburn looked to be the stronger team, with the majority of Tigers riders holding higher winning percentages than their assigned opponents.
Despite that statistical advantage, the judges' scores told a different tale, and proved the adage, “that’s why they play the games,” or in this case, ride the meets.
Saturday’s meet felt very similar to the puzzling loss to UC Davis that Auburn suffered in the fall. Hopefully Auburn’s coaching staff has a plan for avoiding another performance like this.
What’s Next for Auburn?
Despite the loss, there is a silver lining. Saturday was Auburn Equestrian’s last true road meet of the season. Auburn takes a week off and returns home to host Georgia Feb 18 at 11 AM Central.
The Bulldogs also won Saturday, blasting South Carolina at home 14-6. Auburn remains in first place in the SEC with a 3-1 record. Texas A&M and Georgia are both 2-2, with South Carolina 1-3. The regular season standings will determine seeding in the four-team SEC Tournament, hosted by South Carolina.
The Scoresheet
Auburn 5 - Texas A&M 13
FENCES:
Devon H. Thomas (TAM) def Ellie Ferrigno (AU): 81-75
Emma Kurtz (AU) def Alexa Leong (TAM): 75-45
Brooke Brombach (TAM) def Mary-Grace Segars (AU): 90-87
*Haley Redifer (TAM) def Ava Stearns (AU): 92-90
Sophee Steckbeck (AU) def Rylee Shufelt (TAM): 86-84
FLAT:
Devon H. Thomas (TAM) def Mary-Grace Segars (AU): 81-73
*Maggie Nealon (TAM) def Emma Kurtz (AU): 90-81
Rylee Shufelt (TAM) def Ellie Ferrigno (AU): 87-85
Ava Stearns (AU) def Brooke Brombach (TAM): 85-73
Devan M. Thomas (TAM) def Sophee Steckbeck (AU): 89-86
HORSEMANSHIP:
Hanna Olaussen (TAM) def Alexia Tordoff (AU): 74.5-69.5
Ellie Gerbrandt (TAM) def Madison Parduhn (AU): 72.5-69
Cori Cansdale (TAM) def Caroline Fredenburg (AU): 70.4-69
Maddie Spak (AU) tied Alexis Robinson (TAM): 67-67
*Ella Petak (TAM) def Olivia Tordoff (AU): 74.5-73.5
REINING:
Isabella Tesmer (AU) tied Ariana Gray (TAM): 71.5-71.5
Lauren Hanson (TAM) def Olivia Marino (AU): 72.5-72
Keesa Luers (TAM) def Kate Buchanan (AU): 62.5-0
Alexia Tordoff (AU) def Emmy-Lu Marsh (TAM): 73.5-69.5
Caroline Buchanan (AU) def Lisa Bricker (TAM): 70.5-67.5
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