🐎 No. 1 Auburn Tigers equestrian Rides Past No. 4 SMU Mustangs equestrian, 13–7, in Dominant Home Return

Top-Ranked Tigers Sweep MOP Honors, Win Three Events at Auburn University Equestrian Center Ahead of Showdown with No. 3 Georgia

AUBURN, Ala. | The nation’s top-ranked team made a statement in its first home appearance of 2026.

The No. 1 Auburn Tigers equestrian returned to the Auburn University Equestrian Center and powered past No. 4 SMU Mustangs equestrian, 13–7, in a weather-delayed Saturday showdown that showcased Auburn’s championship depth.

Head coach Jessica Braswell praised her squad’s poise after the one-hour delay and lauded the Auburn faithful who packed the stands despite the storms. The Tigers (7-2) rewarded that energy by winning three of four events and sweeping all four Most Outstanding Performer (MOP) honors.

Western Sets the Tone

Auburn struck first with a 3-2 edge in Reining. Senior Alexia Tordoff delivered a commanding 70.25-0 ride to secure MOP honors, while freshman Michelle Fumagalli sealed the event with a clutch 69-66.25 victory.

Horsemanship provided the knockout punch. The Tigers dominated 4-1, highlighted by Brooke Jolstad’s MOP-winning 75-74.5 ride and Sydney Swallom’s meet-clinching performance.

Jumping Seat Shines Under Pressure

On the Jumping Seat side, Auburn’s Flat riders overwhelmed SMU, 4-1. Avery Glynn opened with an 80-point MOP ride, while Ariana Marnell, Sadie Berkhout, and Kate Hagerty stacked critical points.

In Fences, Hagerty soared to an 85-point MOP performance, helping cap the 13-7 final margin.

The victory keeps Auburn firmly atop the national rankings and builds momentum heading into a rivalry showdown with No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs equestrian at the UGA Equestrian Complex on February 28.

If Saturday was any indication, the Tigers are peaking at the right time — and riding like a team built for another postseason run.

#AuburnTigers🐎, #WarEagle🦅, #NCAAEquestrian🐎, #SEC, #CollegeSports, #AuburnVsSMU, #TopRanked, #RoadToNationals, #TELLITLIKEITISSports🐎,

======

-- By Masakela P. Rawls

© Copyright 2026 JWT Communications. All rights reserved. This article cannot be republished, rebroadcast, rewritten, or distributed in any form without written permission.