A&M equestrian team beats Georgia to reach NECA semifinals

OCALA, Fla. — The Texas A&M equestrian team put a loss to Auburn for the Southeastern Conference title behind in a big way with a 11-7 thumping of Georgia in the semifinals of the National Collegiate Equestrian Association Championship on Thursday at the World Equestrian Center.

Fourth-seeded A&M (10-4) advances to face top-seeded TCU in the Friday’s semifinals.

The Aggies and fifth-seeded Georgia (9-6) split shows during the regular season with each team winning at home, but A&M ruled the third meeting between the SEC rivals.

A&M grabbed a 4-1 lead in the Fences with victories by Kate Egan (86.33 points), Devon Thomas (89.67), Ali Treuting (80) and Brooke Brombach (85). A&M added three more points in Reining by Lauren Hanson (71.83), Gracie Casebolt (68.5) and Keesa Luers (71.5) for a commanding 7-1 lead at the break. A&M’s Emmy-Lu Marsh had the team’s highest score in Reining with a 72, but could only tie.

A&M won Horsemanship 3-2 to clinch the match. Graduate Cori Cansdale won for the sixth straight match, improving to 9-3-1. Millie Landon (74.67) had the meet’s highest score. Ella Petak (73.33) also won.

Georgia won the Flat 4-1 with A&M’s point earned by freshman Nicole McMillion (82).

TCU (13-2) advanced with a 14-4 victory over UC Davis. TCU was coming off a 10-9 loss to Oklahoma State for the Big 12 Championship.

Friday’s other semifinal match will be Oklahoma State against SMU. Oklahoma State defeated Auburn 10-8 and SMU downed South Carolina 13-7.

Fences

Kate Egan, A&M, def. Tessa P. Brown 86.33-85; Devon Thomas, A&M, def. Catalina Peralta 89.67-86.67; Brooke Brombach, A&M, def. Jennifer Staniloff 85-65.67; Alida Treuting, A&M, def. Emma Reichow 80-72; Tessa Downey, Georgia, def. Alexa Long 87-85.33.

Sophia Pilla, Georgia, def. Thomas 85.67-80.67; Peralta, Georgia, def. Rylee Schfelt 80-75.67; Nora Andrews, Georgia, def. Brombach 75.67-73.67; Jordan Toering, Georgia, def. Maggie Nealon 80.67-79.67; Nicole McMillion, A&M, de. Isabella David 82-75.67.

Horsemanship

Millie Landon, A&M, def Grace Himes 74.67-64.33; Ella Petak, A&M, def. Leah Anderson 73.33-72.33; Jillian Stopperich, Georgia, def. Ellie Gerbrandt 74.33-73.67; Corie Cansdale, A&M, def. Austin Layer 73.8-72.33; Jordan Davis, Georgia, def. Hanna Olaussen 73.50-71.33.

Reining

Lauren Hanson, A&M, def. Gaitlin Lyson 7183-71.67; Gracie Casebolt, A&M, def. Hannah Jane Luas 68.5-65.67; Kessa Luers, A&M, def. Raegan Shephrd 71.5-71.33; Emmy Lu Marsha, A&M, vs. Shelby Lynch 72-72 (tie); Mattie Gustin A&M, vs. Jax Bound 67.33-67.33 (tie)