No. 2 equestrian topples top-ranked Auburn, 12-7

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

No. 2 Mustangs topple top-ranked Auburn, 12-7, in regular-season finale

DALLAS (SMU) – The second-ranked SMU equestrian team recorded a wire-to-wire victory over No. 1 Auburn to extend its nation-leading win streak to seven on Friday at Dallas Equestrian Center.

The win also marked the 19th consecutive home victory for the Mustangs, the second-longest streak in America. For the fifth straight season, SMU (10-4) has reached double-digit wins, making them the only school in the country to have done this in each of the last five seasons.

Picking up MOPs for SMU were Elli Yeager (Flat) and Nya Kearns (Horsemanship). Kearns extended her NCEA and SMU records with 31 career MOPs. Yeager earned her seventh MOP of the season on the Flat and eighth of her career, tying Taylor Madden for the SMU record.

The meet began with SMU taking a 3-1 result in Horsemanship, while Auburn (10-2, 4-1 SEC) claimed a majority of the points in Fences. However, the Mustangs were able to earn points back in Reining to get them razor-close to the victory, which they were able to secure on the Flat.

In the first event, the Mustangs claimed a 3-1 victory to open the meet. Picking up wins for the Ponies were Ava Blyth, Kearns and Violet Shetler. Kearns improved her record to 14-0 and picked up the MOP to push her season total to nine.

Auburn was able to gain some points back in Fences, with the Tigers taking a 3-2 advantage in the event. Yeager and Aedan Mooney were the Mustang point earners in the event.

The Mustangs picked up where they left off in the Western arena, taking a dominating victory in Reining. SMU claimed the first four points to put them one point away from the victory entering the final event. Picking up the narrow wins for SMU were Sara Filiatreau, Shelby Clausen, Chalyce Head and Maria Richards.

SMU was able to close out the meet by taking three points to secure the victory. Augusta Iwasaki, Yeager and Mooney all took victories in the event, with Yeager earning the MOP for the seventh time this season.

DOUBLE-DIGIT WINS: With the victory, SMU reached double-digit wins for the fifth straight season. The Mustangs are the only team in the NCEA to eclipse 10 or more victories in each of the last five seasons.

STREAKING STANGS: SMU extended its nation-leading winning streak to seven with Friday's win. In addition, the Mustangs also added one more to their home win streak, pushing it to 19 meets. The home win streak is the second longest in America.

NYA BEING NYA: SMU graduate student Nya Kearns improved her record to 14-0 this season, tying the SMU single season record for Horsemanship wins. This is the third time in her illustrious career that she has tied or broken this record. She also boasts the SMU career records for wins and MOPs, along with holding the NCEA record for MOPs in Horsemanship.

UP NEXT: The Mustangs enjoy over a month-long hiatus before heading to Ocala, Florida, to compete at the NCEA Championships on April 17-19. SMU is seeking its third consecutive National Title during the event.