WACO, Texas – The National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) saw a quietly interesting weekend of meets which included several Dual and Single meets.
Over the weekend, on the Dual Discipline side, No. 5 SMU defeated No. 6 TCU, No. 2 South Carolina defeated both the Frogs and the Mustangs, Auburn defeated SMU, an unranked Baylor defeated both Delaware State and No. 10 UT Martin, and Delaware State upset the Skyhawks. For the Single Discipline teams, No. 2 Dartmouth upset the top-ranked Lynchburg before turning around and defeating Bridgewater as well.
10/1 - No. 2 South Carolina Outdoes No. 5 SMU
BLYTHEWOOD, SC – The No. 2 South Carolina Equestrian team (1-0) took on the No. 5 SMU Mustangs (0-1) Thursday morning at One Wood Farm, taking home the 10-9 win following a tight competition.
“Great to come out with a win at our home dual-discipline home opener”, head coach Carol Gwin said. “We did have some mistakes that hopefully we can clean up against TCU tomorrow, but we’re ready to be back in action against another ranked opponent.”
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Gamecocks started the day in Fences, falling short 3-2. Amira Kettaneh and McKayla Brombach earned the two points for Carolina. Kettaneh took her point 77.5-75 on Rio, while Brombach scored a season and career high 81.5 on Dylan to top Aedan Mooney’s 66.5.
The Gamecocks tied the Mustangs in Horsemanship 2-2. Lillian Laney brought in the first point for Carolina on Dill Pickle, scoring a 67.5 to top a Mustang 66.25. Alyssa Kladny made her Gamecock debut on Brad, scoring a 70.75 and winning her point over a 0. On Kinzie, Jordyn Humbert and Jayna Lagace tied at 76.25, leading to no point being awarded.
The second half got started with Reining, with South Carolina falling in a tight battle, 2-3. The two points came from Emily Patton and Olivia Cardi. Patton rode Thor, scored a 71.75 and earned the event’s MOP honor with her win over a 67. Cardi followed shortly after on George, scoring a 69.5 to beat a 69. Emma Zgrebnack also made her Gamecock debut in reining on Cooper.
Carolina’s most dominant performance of the day came as they took Flat 4-1. The last rider of the event also determined the fate of the meet. Vanessa Mc Caughley led off riding Dento and scored a 70.5 to top a 67. Amira Kettenah then followed with a strong 81.5 on Nino, which earned her the event’s MOP award. Grace Rabb then brought in a 77.5 riding Schnitzel to defeat a 68. The final point of the day came from Sarah Rabb on Fenway, scoring a 75.5 against a 74.5 to give the Gamecocks the win.
10/2 - No. 5 SMU Defeats No. 6 TCU on Neutral Ground
BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. - No. 5 SMU (1-1) starts off strong and clinches first win of the season against No. 6 TCU (1-1), 12-7, on Friday morning at One Wood Farm.
Starting the meet on the flat, Caroline Signorino earned MOP honors with the Mustangs finishing the event 4-0 with one tie point. The New Jersey native earned her first career MOP in this event.
Madison Rafacz earned her fifth career MOP in reining, which helped SMU win three out of five points. Graduate student Abby Budd also earned her first point as a Mustang.
Throughout the first two meets, the Mustangs have gotten an MOP in all four competitions, including Schuyler Daynerin fences and Violet Shetler in horsemanship against South Carolina on Thursday.
Aedan Mooney and Madison Stewart started fences by acquiring the first two points of the discipline for SMU. Coming down to the final riders, Signorino came up with a point to put the Mustangs up 3-2 in the event.
SMU dominated in jumping seat with total points of seven to TCU's two.
Ava Blyth and Madison Rafacz finished off the Mustangs point total with two added points from horsemanship, for a final total of 12-7.
10/2 - No. 2 Dartmouth Upsets the No. 1 Lynchburg on the Road
RUSTBURG, Va. - No. 2 Dartmouth equestrian team defeated No. 1 Lynchburg on the road 5-4 Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, bringing their record to 2-0 on the season.
In the first half, Dartmouth jumped out to a 3-2 lead thanks to wins from Grace Russo '29, Camilla Jerng '29, and Cassidy Exner '27 (84-82, 85.5-78, 86-84.5).
"We showed up ready to compete and had a strong start to the day," said head coach Tenley Walsh. "We knew Lynchburg would be a strong team. We have been working hard at home, and I am proud of every ride we turned in today."
After the break, Jerng, and Exner delivered on the flat (89-80, 87-78) and Lucy Exner '29 tied her matchup, reducing the needed points to win outright from six to five.
"I couldn't be more proud of Lucy," said Walsh. "Her back-to-back impressive flat rides have put our team right where we needed to be."
For the second consecutive week, Dartmouth riders took home both Most Outstanding Performer (MOP) awards. Exner won for her efforts over fences and Jerng won on the flat.
"Cassidy is our captain and she's done this before," said Walsh. "Obviously it took the rides before it to put us in that position, but for her to go in with the weight of the entire meet on her shoulders, she's the right person for that spot."
The team will be back in action tomorrow against Bridgewater College before returning home.
"I'm going to keep saying talent and togetherness," said Walsh. "That's what I saw today and that's what I expect to see tomorrow."
10/2 - No. 2 South Carolina Earns Second Top-10 Win of the Weekend
BLYTHEWOOD, SC – The No. 2 South Carolina Equestrian team (2-0-0) competed against No. 6 TCU (1-2) Friday afternoon at One Wood Farm, beating the Horned Frogs 14-5. It was the Gamecocks’ second top-10 win on the week, and the 14 points tied for the most ever put up against TCU in program history (prev. 14, 9/20/2011).
“Felt great to get a good win against a quality TCU team today,” head coach Carol Gwin said. “I must commend their sportsmanship and graciousness; they were awesome to have as visitors. As a team, we still made some unnecessary mistakes we need to clean up with Auburn on the horizon. But three freshmen on the Western side winning their points was huge. Very excited about the future of this team!”
HOW IT HAPPENED
Carolina started the day in Fences, winning 3-1. Grace Rabb scored Carolina’s first point of the day with an 85.5 on Dylan, defeating Lilly Goldstein’s 82. Alyssa Bauer followed shortly after on Q with an 82.5, beating Maggie Dumrauf’s 73. The third point came from McKayla Brombach’s ride on Rio with a score of 81.5, to top Chandler Wilks’s score of 74.
The Gamecocks dominated the Horned Frogs in Horsemanship 4-1. Sophie Ciancio was the first rider for the Gamecocks on Ziggy, scoring a 74.75 and topping Peyton Staat’s 74.25. Freshman Alyssa Kladny recorded a new season best on Brad with a 75.5, topping a 74.5. Jordyn Humbert then followed with a 74.75 on Kinzie, besting a 71. Alexis Potts concluded Horsemanship on Dill Pickle with a 76 over Calla Thomas’s 69.5. Potts also earned the MOP award for the event.
Carolina nearly swept TCU on the Flat, finishing 4-1. Sarah Rabb took the first point as she scored a 78.5 on Dento, topping a 0. Vanessa Mc Caughley followed shortly after, scoring a 68.5 on Fenway, earning the point over a 64.5. Amira Kettaneh then received a point for the Gamecocks after her ride on Schnitzel, scoring an 84.5 over a 76.5. Kettaneh also earned the MOP award for the event, her third on the Flat this season. The last point came from Paris Levy for her ride on Major, bringing in a 72.5, topping a 60.5.
Lastly, the Gamecocks recorded the 150th program win in Reining, beating the Horned Frogs 3-2 overall. Gracie Mae Stingle recorded the first point for her ride on Yogi, scoring a 71 over a 0. Olivia Cardi recorded her season-high score of 73.25 for her ride on Giallo, taking the point over a 67. Freshman Emma Zgrebneck recorded her first point as a Gamecock, bringing in a season best of 70.5 on George, over Rita Clausen’s 70.25.
10/2 - Baylor Takes Doubleheader with Delaware State and UT Martin
DOVER, Del. – Baylor equestrian defeated both Delaware State, 12-8, and No. 10 UT Martin, 9-6, in a doubleheader at the Redstone Ranch in Dover, Del. on Friday afternoon.
Baylor (2-1) earned three event wins in Fences, Flat, and Horsemanship against Delaware State. Senior Carly Rutledge (Horsemanship), senior Caroline Muth (Fences) and sophomore Morgan McCarthy (Flat) all earned Most Outstanding Performer honors. This is Muth's first career MOP nod.
BU also earned wins in three events against UT Martin. Rutledge (Horsemanship) and McCarthy (Flat) earned their second MOP honors of the day and junior Katie Smith (Fences) earned her first career MOP.
THE RUNDOWN
The Bears picked up four points each in Fences and Horsemanship against Delaware State. At halftime, Baylor held a commanding 8-2 heading into Flat and Reining.
After the half, BU took Flat 3-2 with points scored by junior Grace O'Connell, MOP McCarthy and junior Daniela Carvajal. Both McCarthy and O'Connell scored 88, career highs for both riders. Finishing in Reining, junior Britt McIlnay scored the Bears' sole point in the event. Baylor won the meet 12-8.
In its matchup against UT Martin, BU picked up three points each in Reining and Flat, with MOP McCarthy and Jumping Seat senior Juliette Earley (Flat) earning the highest scores of 88 and 85, respectively.
MOP Carley Rutledge and fellow Horsemanship senior Addisyn Albers both scored points for BU in Horsemanship. Rounding out the meet, the Bears picked up one point in Fences, courtesy of MOP Smith. The Bears earned a 9-6 win over the Skyhawks.
NOTABLES
Horsemanship freshman Ava Pope earned her first career point and scored a career high of 75.25 against Delaware State.
Jumping Seat freshman Ava Berman earned her first career point and scored a career high of 84.5 against Delaware State in Fences.
Jumping Seat junior Grace O'Connell scored her career high of 88 in Flat.
Jumping Seat junior Daniela Carvajal made her collegiate debut and won two points for the Bears and scored a career high of 80.5 in Flat.
Seven riders earned scores of 80 or above.
Jumping Seat sophomore Morgan McCarthy went 2-0 in her matchups in Flat and scored 88 in both. She also earned the MOP honor in both meets.
Horsemanship seniors Addisyn Albers and two-time MOP Carley Rutledge both went 2-0 in their matchups.
Reining junior Britt McIlnay went 2-0 in her matchups, earning two points for BU.
Jumping Seat senior Caroline Muth earned her first career MOP nod in Fences.
Jumping Seat junior Katie Smith made her season debut and received her first career MOP in Fences.
BU won 4-1 in both Fences and Reining over Delaware State.
STAT OF THE MEET
Horsemanship senior Carley Rutledge and Jumping Seat sophomore Morgan McCarthy (Flat) earned MOP honors in both meets.
QUOTABLE
Head Coach Casie Maxwell
On today's meet…
"I am very proud of how resilient the team was today. We started really strong this morning, then had a few fumbles and hardships, but they kept fighting through every ride. It's hard enough to play on the road, and then to play your event back to back like today's schedule, but they turned the page quickly and rose to the challenge. These ladies have worked very hard these past few weeks and I'm so glad to see that pay off for them today."
Horsemanship senior Carley Rutledge
On earning two MOPs and how the team is feeling after the meet…
"I think this team is just really grateful to see all of our hard work paying off. Everyone is super proud of each other and just soaking it all in. Double MOP-ing is such an exciting feeling, and I'm really happy with how my day went. I'm also really glad I was able to contribute two points to the team today!"
Jumping Seat sophomore Morgan McCarthy
On earning double MOP and how the team is feeling after the meet…
"The dual MOPs and two team wins feel great! We are happy our hard work paid off today. We are going to keep working hard at home and look to carry this momentum into our first Big 12 Conference meet next week versus Fresno State."
10/3 - No. 3 Auburn Downs No. 5 SMU
AUBURN, Ala.— The No. 3 Auburn equestrian team defeated No. 5 SMU, 12-7, Saturday at Auburn University Equestrian Center in front of a big Auburn fanbase.
"First of all, I want to thank all the Auburn fans that came out and supported the team today," head coach Jessica Braswell said. "It makes such a difference for us, just having the home crowd and that energy. Today was a great win against a top five team. SMU is really tough and I think they're going to have a great year.”
Auburn won three of the four events, taking Flat (4-1), Horsemanship (3-2) and Reining (3-1-1). SMU won Fences, 3-2. In addition, The Tigers captured two Most Outstanding Performer honors – senior Avery Glynn on the Flat and junior Michelle Fumagalli in Reining.
"We definitely have some things to clean up and practice before South Carolina next weekend," Braswell said. "But overall, I'm very happy and proud of our performance. Overall, a great day.”
FLAT
Glynn led the way and earned MOP honors in Flat, posting an 86 to top SMU's Caroline Signorino, who scored 75.5. Junior Kate Hagerty opened the event with a 79.5-79 win over Rachel Brandt, the closest win margin on the Flat. Freshman Taylor Cawley won 66.5-62, and junior Ariana Marnell won 79.5-71.5 to give Auburn a 4-1 edge in the event.
REINING
The Reining corps followed with a 3-1-1 mark to give the Tigers a 7-2 lead at the break. Fumagalli earned the first MOP honor of her career with a 71.5-69 win over SMU's Violet Shetler. Hogg and sophomore Sofia Tieche also won for Auburn, scoring a 69.5 and a 63.5, respectfully, and sophomore Kailee Rife tied SMU's Addi Schmersal with a 71.75 each.
FENCES
SMU took Fences, 3-2, to start the second half. The Mustangs captured the first two points before Cawley won, 85.5-77, over Madison Stewart. Marnell followed with a 88.5-84.5 win over Taryn McEntire for Auburn before SMU took the last point of the event.
HORSEMANSHIP
Auburn won three of five rides in Horsemanship, all by a point or less. Senior Brooke Jolstad won 74.75-74, while Hogg won her point, 75.5-74.5. Freshman Charlie Brooks picked up the first win of her collegiate career, 72.5-71.75, to seal the 12-7 team victory.
10/3 - No. 2 Dartmouth Defeats Bridgewater to Finish Road Weekend
STAUNTON, VA. - Following their win over No. 1 Lynchburg yesterday, No. 2 Dartmouth equestrian defeated Bridgewater College 6-4 on Saturday, Oct. 3 in their final day of their road trip in Virginia. With the victory, the Big Green moves to an overall record of 3-0 on the season.
In the first half, the team won three of the five matchups over fences. Ellie Sadrian '30 and Mia Thomasson'30 picked up their first career victories (86-80, 75-71) and Cassidy Exner grabbed the lead for the Big Green with her 83-74 performance.
"Ellie and Mia have been riding really well - better than the results indicate," said head coach Tenley Walsh. "We needed them today and they came through. That's a cool moment for them."
Out of the break, Camilla Jerng '29, Exner, and Grace Russo '29 won their flat contests (78-76, 84-81, 67-58) to clinch the team win.
"Those three opened up our season with three wins jumping, and today they brought it home on the flat," said Walsh. "Really happy with everyone's performance this weekend."
In addition to remaining unbeaten on the season, Dartmouth extended its streak of sweeping the day's Most Outstanding Performer (MOP) awards. Sadrian was named the MOP over fences, and Exner earned the MOP on the flat.
About the NCEA
A non-profit corporation, the NCEA is a governing body to advance the sport of equestrian. The NCEA is responsible for the development and administration of equestrian rules and guidelines. Equestrian is subject to all NCAA policies and procedures in the same manner as other sports. In 1998, Equestrian was identified and adopted by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Committee on Women's Athletics (CWA) as an emerging sport for women at the Division I and II levels.
NCEA competitions are in a head-to-head format, and schools may choose to compete as a single or dual discipline team (Jumping Seat and Western). Each discipline has two events: in Jumping Seat, Fences and Flat, and in Western, Horsemanship and Reining. Teams can have five riders per event, with horses assigned by random draw at the start of the competition. Riders from opposing teams compete on the same horse, and whichever rider receives the higher score earns one point for her team. The level of difficulty is demonstrated by the accuracy of the pattern and how the competitor uses the horse to the best of her ability.
To stay up to date all year long on all things NCEA Equestrian, follow the organization on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @NCEA_Equestrian and @ncea_eq.
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