UT Martin
Auburn
No. 10 UT Martin Equestrian Hosts No. 1 Auburn In Collision Of Top NCEA Squads Tomorrow
10/25/2024 9:12:00 AM | Equestrian
MARTIN, Tenn. – The final fall home meet for the University of Tennessee at Martin equestrian team is a big one as the Skyhawks host No. 1 ranked Auburn on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 10 a.m. in the Ned McWherter Agricultural Complex. The team will also conduct its third annual "Trick or Trot" event which features face painting, pet the pony, goodie bags and a costume contest from 9-11 a.m.
This will be the sixth time in the last seven seasons that UT Martin has hosted the top-ranked team in the nation. Several close calls have happened over that span, including last fall when the Skyhawks battled throughout in a narrow 12-7 setback to then-No. 1 TCU.
UT Martin also has a recent history with the Tigers, squaring off against the Southeastern Conference powerhouse for the sixth time since the spring of 2019 (with another meeting against Auburn on tap for Feb. 7 this season). In their last matchup, the Skyhawks fell to the then-No. 2 ranked Tigers by a narrow 11-9 margin on Oct. 13, 2023 in the Ned McWherter Agricultural Complex.
Ranked in the top-10 nationally in 27 consecutive weeks, No. 10 UT Martin enters the meet with a 2-2 overall record while outscoring its opponents by a 45-29 margin. The Skyhawks have competed neck and neck with a pair of ranked squads, falling 8-7 to then-No. 10 Fresno State on Oct. 5 before dropping a 12-7 decision to then-No. 5 Oklahoma State last Saturday. UT Martin has won a pair of Eastern College Athletic Conference outings by large margins, downing South Dakota State (15-5 on Oct. 5) and UC Davis (16-4 on Oct. 18).
The Skyhawks have won 76.3 percent (14-4-1 record) of their decisions in reining this season, led by Logan Putvinski's 4-0 record. Elise Mason tops UT Martin in scoring average (71.5 points) and has one MOP to her credit alongside Putvinski and Lexi Bailey in 2024-25.
In horsemanship, the Skyhawks have won at a 65.8 percent rate, going 12-6-1 so far. Bailey and Mia McAfoos are tied for the team lead with three victories apiece while Bailey owns both of UT Martin's MOP medals in that event. Kailyn Veale leads the way with a 75.5 scoring average.
The Skyhawks have claimed 10 individual head-to-head victories in fences this season, guided by Elizabeth Becker's team-best three victories. Becker also accounts for UT Martin's lone MOP in that event while Emerson Maier is responsible for a team-high 82.3 scoring average.
A trio of Skyhawk riders have brought home flat MOP accolades in 2024-25, led by Becker, Gabby Adams and Bridget Vieau. Adams additionally ranks as the team leader in flat wins (three of the team's nine victories) and flat scoring average (83.5) during her sophomore campaign.
Fans can keep track of live scoring during the meet by clicking the link above.
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