Auburn Equestrian grabs 13-7 win over South Carolina in SEC Semifinals
Auburn Equestrian has ridden against South Carolina home and away this season, with both contests going in favor of the Tigers. In Friday’s SEC Tournament Semifinal rematch, Auburn got the win, but the Gamecocks made them work for it.
How the Meet Went
Auburn and South Carolina kicked off the action with the first semifinal of the day. As is typical when hosting the tournament, the Gamecock were bolstered by a sizable contingent of fans, each hoping their riders could pull off the shocking upset.
The meet started with Equitation on the Flat. The Gamecocks have one of the top Flat squads in the nation, so getting points early would be a good sign for the Tigers.
The Auburn trio of Emma Kurtz, Ava Stearns, and Ellie Ferrigno won their matchups and gave Auburn the 3-2 advantage in the event. Kurtz’s ride was also judged the Most Outstanding Performance as well.
As that action unfolded, the Western ring saw both Reining squads take to the saddle. The head-to-head matchups looked to favor Auburn, but the Gamecocks again kept things close.
Auburn’s Olivia Marino, Alexia Tordoff, and Isabella Tesmer bested their opponents, securing the event 3-2 for the Tigers.
The close 6-4 halftime score was close enough to keep Gamecock hearts hopeful, and Auburn stomachs nervous.
As Fences points posted to the scoreboard, Auburn’s tension eased a bit. The Tigers’ stellar Fences group was held to three points as Kurtz, Sophee Steckbeck, and Ferrigno outscored their Gamecock counterparts.
However, those three points put Auburn on the cusp of victory with only Horsemanship remaining.
Here the Tiger riders would put the meet away, as Olivia Tordoff, Alexia Tordoff, Caroline Fredenburg, and Maddie Spak each won their points. Senior Olivia Tordoff also took home MOP honors with her ride.
The 4-1 total in the event meant Auburn would win by the final score of 13-7. This margin of victory ended up being relatively comfortable, but Friday’s semifinal saw several rides that Auburn would probably like to have a second chance at winning.
Up Next For Auburn
With the victory, the Tigers advance to Saturday’s Championship Meet. They will face the winner of 2-seed Texas A&M and 3-seed Georgia.
Auburn has won the last four-straight SEC titles, and regardless of who they’ll face on Saturday, the Tigers know they’ll have to continue to work for it.
Scoresheet
South Carolina 7 - Auburn 13
FENCES:
*Madeline Schaefer (SC) def Ava Stearns (AU): 253-248
Emma Kurtz (AU) def Jordan Allen (SC): 254-235
Natalie Jayne (SC) def Mary-Grace Segars (AU): 251-238
Sophee Steckbeck (AU) def Trinity Hammerschmidt (SC): 243-227
Ellie Ferrigno (AU) def Bella Primavera (SC): 251-228
FLAT:
Madeline Schaefer (SC) def Mary-Grace Segars (AU): 247-232
*Emma Kurtz (AU) def Ellie Beard (SC): 255-219
Ava Stearns (AU) def Mary Hunter Millet (SC): 238-228
Ellie Ferrigno (AU) def Trinity Hammerschmidt (SC): 238-208
Natalie Jayne (SC) def Sophee Steckbeck (AU): 257-208
HORSEMANSHIP:
*Olivia Tordoff (AU) def Alyssa Jipping (SC): 229-203.5
Alexa Thorpe (SC) def Madison Parduhn (AU): 215.5-176
Alexia Tordoff (AU) def Tierney Horton (SC): 226.5-207.5
Caroline Fredenburg (AU) def Kendie Herlocker (SC): 222.5-220.5
Maddie Spak (AU) def Carly Jenkins (SC): 225.5-207.5
REINING:
Olivia Marino (AU) def Mary Margaret Coats (SC): 202.5-193
Chloe Stephenson (SC) def Caroline Buchanan (AU): 206.5-204.5
Haley Turner (SC) def Kate Buchanan (AU): 207-201.5
Alexia Tordoff (AU) def Emma Lane (SC): 202.5-186
Isabella Tesmer (AU) def Emilia Reutimann (SC): 210-206
*Event MOP"
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