Equestrian falls just short against No. 2 Auburn

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

SMU Falls Just Short of No. 2 Auburn
Jaclyn White Earns Reining MOP Honor

DALLAS (SMU) – Jaclyn White earned two victories on the day and the SMU western team claimed the western events, but the effort fell short as the SMU Mustangs fell 12-7 to the No. 2-ranked Auburn Tigers at Sleepy P Ranch, Sunday afternoon.

”I am very proud of the western team for producing back-to-back wins over the weekend,” said head coach Carol Gwin. ”We earned three MOPs on that side between Saturday and Sunday. Unfortunately we fell short today.”

After sealing the meet against No. 6 South Carolina the night before, the SMU western team highlighted the meet, claiming the western events in both points, 5-4, and raw score, 695-690.

In reining, SMU recorded a 3-2 margin of victory over the second-ranked Auburn Tigers (4-1, 0-1 SEC). Jaclyn White was the top-reiner on the day and earned the reining MOP with a 70.5-69 victory over Allie Dusha. Keagan Snively and Casey Bibbs both won, inking 69.5-64.5 and 69.5-67 wins, respectively.

In horsemanship, the Mustangs tied Auburn, 2-2, with SMU juniors, Morgan Redwine and White, leading the way. Redwine led off for the Mustangs and posted a 72.5 to outduel Lauren Diaz, 72.5-70.5. White, who is now 3-3 in the discipline, captured the second point for SMU with a 71-68 victory. Kelsey Karanges forced a tie with Hannah Loseke at 72.5, before Hannah McCain was just edged, 74-73, by Auburn’s Hannah Stephens.

Big scores and small victory margins were the themes in the hunt seat events, as 18-of-20 riders scored a 80 or higher, and six hunt seat points were decided by two points or less.

“It was disappointing to not have a few of these points go our way,” said Gwin. “We rode well and we will continue to work harder as we prepare for Baylor in two weeks.”

The day started with equitation over fences, where SMU (2-4, 1-1 UEC) was edged by No. 2 Auburn, 3-2. Three Mustang riders inked a score of 87, including Sylvia de Toledo and Nora Gray who picked up the SMU points. De Toledo garnished the first point, recording a 87-85 over Caitlin Boyle, before Gray improved to 5-1 over fences with a 87-80 victory. Senior Schaefer Raposa recorded the third 87 for the Mustangs, but came up short falling to Auburn’s Elizabeth Benson, 88-87.

Later in equitation on the flat, SMU was swept 5-0, however, 4-of-5 SMU losses came by a margin of two points or less. Raposa, de Toledo, Gray, all posted a 90 or better, with Raposa inking a career high, 98. The 98 ties her with the highest recorded hunt seat score in SMU history. All three who scored 90 or better were edged by one point, while Alexa Boggio, who scored an 87, was cut down by two.

The Mustangs have a week off before returning back to action on Fri., Nov. 20 against the Baylor Bears. The meet is the fourth of the homestand and is slated for 10 a.m. CT.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

What a great weekend for the Western riders!