July 11, 2016
AUBURN, Ala. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" The defending NCEA and SEC champion Auburn equestrian team is set to face a challenging competition schedule in 2016-17, head coach Greg Williams announced Monday.
"In this sport, road wins are very coveted and hard to come by so we will certainly be tested a lot this season," Williams said. "We are also excited to see new teams looking to compete in the NCEA head-to-head format and we're looking forward to those matches."
Following their Orange and Blue Scrimmage (Sept. 16), the Tigers host sport newcomer Ole Miss in an exhibition match, Sept. 23, at 3 p.m. CT at the Auburn University Equestrian Center. The team closes out the month on the road at UT Martin, Sept. 29.
The month of October is a busy one for Auburn with four matches for the Tigers. The Blue and Orange will travel to Dover, Del., for a pair of matches, Oct. 7-8. Auburn opens vs. host Delaware State and follows with a match against Fresno State the following day. The Tigers hosts SEC rival Texas A&M at the AU Equestrian Center, Oct. 15, in a 10 a.m. CT contest before taking on Alabama in an exhibition bout, Oct. 21, at 3 p.m. CT.
Auburn caps the fall schedule with a pair of SEC match ups in November, beginning with a road test at long-time rival Georgia, Nov. 11. The Tigers finish with the Gamecocks of South Carolina, Nov. 18, at home starting at 3 p.m. CT.
The squad kicks off the spring season with its second exhibition vs. the Crimson Tide, traveling to Tuscaloosa, Jan. 27. Two home matches follow as Auburn hosts SEC opponent Georgia (Feb. 11) and UT Martin (Feb. 18) with both starting at 3 p.m. CT.
The Tigers close out the regular season with a tough road stretch, taking on three consistent NCEA championship competitors. Auburn will first head to Blythewood, S.C., to take on the Gamecocks, Feb. 25. The team finishes with a busy weekend in Texas, March 3-4, heading to Baylor and Texas A&M.
Postseason begins with the SEC Championship, March 24-25. The Tigers will look to defend their conference title, hosting Georgia, South Carolina and Texas A&M at the Auburn University Equestrian Center.
The 2016-17 season will conclude at the NCEA Championship where Auburn hopes to capture its fifth national title. The three-day tournament will take place in Waco, Texas, April 13-15, at the Extraco Events Center.
"Obviously hosting the SEC Championship here at Auburn will be a season highlight," Williams said. "To repeat as conference or national title winners will require another 'team first to team only' mentality, as we will have the talent required."
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