No. 6 Auburn edged out by Fresno State

Press Release

FRESNO, Calif.  – The No. 6 Auburn equestrian team was narrowly defeated by Fresno State, 9-8, on Saturday at the Student Horse Center in Fresno, Calif. With the loss, the Tigers fall to 3-3 (1-2 SEC) on the season.

“We definitely had some good individual rides, but we just didn’t get it done today,” head coach Greg Williams said. “A couple of the mistakes that I didn’t think would be as costly turned out to be. We can move forward from this, but we will remember this one when we start back up in January. We will use this to fuel the fire. I am disappointed, but we will move on.”

Auburn took an early 3-2 advantage after Equitation Over Fences as junior Elizabeth Benson continued her undefeated season in the event, defeating Paige Pastorino, 40-30. Junior Megan Bifano knocked off Gianna Armanio 75-69 before sophomore Ashley Foster topped Randi Pomrehn, 81-68, to earn MOP honors.

Freshman Alexa Rivard secured the lone point for the Tigers in Reining, defeating Hailey Robinson, 72-70, en route to being named MOP.

After heading into intermission tied at four, Auburn opened the second half with a 3-2 victory in Horsemanship, collecting victories from junior Griffin Knight and seniors Lucy Igoe and Katie Buff. Knight was named MOP after defeating Rachel Williams, 75.5-74. Igoe edged past Sydney Elliot, 71.5-71 before Buff defeated Linee’ Beason, 73.5-68.

Sophomore Tory Hoft earned her second-consecutive MOP honor and third of the season following her

87-84 victory over Kylina Chaiack.

Auburn will return to action on January 30 as the Tigers host No. 7 SMU at the Auburn University Horse Center at 3 p.m. CT.