AUBURN, Ala. – A gutsy performance from the University of Tennessee at Martin equestrian squad came up just short today as the No. 9 ranked Skyhawks fell by an 11-6 margin to No. 1 Auburn.
Five different UT Martin riders set career- or season-highs in scoring today as the Skyhawks more than held their own against elite competition. UT Martin tied the host Tigers in flat (2-2) and horsemanship (2-2) while also earning a point plus a tie in reining and another point in fences.
Gabby Adams came away with her team-best seventh win of the season in flat, accumulating 87 points today for a 12-point head-to-head victory. Freshman Payton Lussen also earned her second win in as many days with a career-high 80-point ride while Rileigh Weiss’ score of 78 was good enough for a tie. Elizabeth Becker and Bridget Vieau posted scores of 78 and 76 points, respectively, to complete the Skyhawks’ flat lineup.
In horsemanship, Mia McAfoos chalked up her team-high seventh victory of the season after a 70.5-point effort. Ava Newsom (72.5 points) was also victorious for the first time in 2024-25 after managing a season-high score against zero points from her competitor. Lexi Bailey’s 73.5 points were a team-high and tied her head-to-head competitor while Lillian Laney (73) and Kate Davis (72) recorded good scores in UT Martin’s scoring five.
Davis capped off a 2-0 weekend in reining with 70.5 points today, earning her fourth win of the season in the process. Aubrey Malone tied her competitor with a season-best 71 points while Logan Putvinski’s 71.5 points were a team- and season-high score. Bailey (69.5) and Elise Mason (69) rounded out the Skyhawk lineup.
Becker established a career-high with 87 points in fences, rolling to her team-high sixth victory in 2024-25. Vieau (78), Kate Mills (73), Adams (68) and Lussen (48) also represented UT Martin in the fences lineup today.
The Skyhawks return home for their next two meets, hosting the likes of ECAC rival Delaware State and current No. 6 SMU on Feb. 21-22.
