April 19, 2007

Waco, Texas - The Auburn equestrian team finished up the round one bye bracket Thursday, defeating Texas A&M 5-3 in hunt seat but falling to New Mexico State in western by the same score.

Tied at the halfway point at 2, Auburn's western team loss to New Mexico State 3-1 in reining. Senior Julie Gibbes outrode her opponent 142-119 to grab Auburn's only point in reining.

"New Mexico State is a team that we've played at home and beat," said Auburn head coach Greg Williams. "We were tied, and I felt that the reining was where we would get strong, but we didn't."

The western team moved on to the consolation round where it is halfway through the meet against host Baylor.

"We have dug a hole in the reining so far, and we would have to sweep the horsemanship to win it," said Williams. "Our strongest has been reining, but right now that is not happening."

Auburn's hunt seat team led 3-1 at the halfway point against Texas A&M in over fences. After finishing the flat tied at 2, the Tigers took the 5-3 win and faces the top-ranked hunt seat team South Carolina in round two.

"We did a pretty good job," Williams said. "We turned in good rides and completed the win. We are excited about going against South Carolina because they are undefeated."

Auburn is halfway through the second round meet against the Gamecocks.

"Our girls are riding really well, but we aren't getting the scores to beat them," said Williams. "They are going at it hard and we are just falling a little bit short each time. We are going to have to sweep over fences to beat South Carolina."

Both western and hunt seat teams will finish their meets later on tonight.