Top-Ranked Auburn Opens Spring with Gritty 11-8 Road Win over UT Martin
AUBURN, Ala. - The No. 1 Auburn equestrian team didn’t waste any time shaking off the winter break rust. In their spring season opener, the Tigers went on the road and handled business, earning a hard-fought 11-8 win over a tough UT Martin squad in Martin, Tennessee.
This wasn’t just a win-it was a test of resilience. Competing in less-than-ideal conditions, Auburn leaned on its depth and consistency across multiple events to grind out the victory. Head coach Jessica Braswell credited the Skyhawks for putting up a strong fight, but she was proud of how her team responded on the road.
Let’s break it down.
Jumping Seat Sets the Tone
The Tigers wasted no time establishing momentum in Jumping Seat, going 7-3 overall between Fences and Flat. It started in Fences, where Auburn came out swinging with a 4-1 advantage.
Sophomore Ariana Marnell opened things up with a narrow 83-82 win, but it was freshman Caroline Olsen who stole the spotlight. She delivered a meet-best 87 to earn Most Outstanding Performer (MOP) honors in her event-a statement ride from the newcomer.
Kate Hagerty followed with a dominant 85-75 win, and freshman Emily Jurnovoy notched the first victory of her collegiate career with an 86-79 performance. That kind of early success gave Auburn a cushion they’d need later in the meet.
On the Flat, the Tigers kept the edge with a 3-2 showing. Olsen continued her stellar day, scoring an 89 to take another point for Auburn.
After UT Martin claimed the next two, junior Avery Glynn responded with an 89 of her own, edging her opponent by six to earn MOP honors. Marnell closed out the event with a tight 75-74 win that helped Auburn maintain control.
Horsemanship: Steady and Strong
If there’s been a rock for Auburn this season, it’s been Horsemanship-and that held true again Saturday. The Tigers posted a 3-1-1 mark in the event, showing off both experience and poise.
Junior Brooke Jolstad delivered a career-best 78 to earn MOP honors, outscoring her opponent by 6.5 points. That kind of performance is exactly what Auburn needed in the middle of the meet.
Senior leadership also came through, with Callie Hogg and Caroline Fredenburg each securing wins. Hogg edged her opponent 72.5-70.5, while Fredenburg posted a 75.5 to hold off a strong ride from UT Martin’s Ruby Gunderson.
Senior Alexia Tordoff added a 75.5 of her own, resulting in a tie that helped preserve Auburn’s lead heading into the final event.
Reining: Room for Growth
Reining was a bit of a stumble for the Tigers, who managed just one point in the event. That lone win came from Tordoff, who bounced back in a big way to top Abby Tibbits 69.5-66.5.
The rest of the matchups tilted UT Martin’s way, but Braswell wasn’t sounding any alarms. She emphasized that the mistakes in Reining were fixable-and with SEC play heating up, the team is already focused on tightening things up.
Looking Ahead: SEC Clash on the Horizon
With the win, Auburn moves to 6-1 on the season and remains firmly in the national title conversation. But there’s no time to celebrate.
Next up is a major SEC showdown on the road against No. 3 South Carolina.
That meet is set for Saturday, February 7 at One Wood Farm Equestrian Center in Blythewood, South Carolina.
If Auburn can clean up the miscues in Reining and keep riding the wave in Fences and Horsemanship, they’ll be a tough out for anyone. The Tigers showed grit, depth, and flashes of brilliance on Saturday-and as the postseason inches closer, that’s exactly the kind of performance you want to build on.