Sept. 22, 2016
AUBURN, Ala. -- The No. 1 Auburn equestrian team remains focused going into fall season in the midst of celebrating last season's winning record and pre-season rankings.
Coming off what was undoubtedly one of the team's best seasons, expectations are high among riders and the hunger for more rings is growing. Part of preparing for upcoming meets not only includes practices and meetings, but also demands a team-wide focus.
For head coach Greg Williams, the team's relationships with each other and their work ethic have always been priorities. It's no different this year.
"I would say that we know we're good and we may even be better talent wise then last season," Williams said. "So the only thing we can do is stick to all the basics that got us there, but just make sure that we're a close team and gritty, tough and gritty."
"Our focus this year is consistency and trying to stay on top of our game," sophomore Caitlin Boyle said. "Winning NCEAs and SECs last year was great, but we know that this season, we're going to have to perform well every single time we come out and we're looking forward to doing that."
The Tigers look to keep their expectiation high as the team opens the 2016-17 season at home, hosting Ole Miss in an exhibition meet Friday, Sept. 23, at 3 p.m. CT. Admission to the Auburn University Horse Center is free.
PROMOTIONS
Fans will get the chance to paint/pet a pony Friday prior to the meet. There will also be pony rides available and coloring pages for kids. Popsicles will be given out at the Auburn Promotions Table.
ENHANCED GAMEDAY EXPERIENCE
There is a lot of "newness" to the Auburn team that features 12 freshmen and one junior transfer. Along with the new faces, however, the Tigers have a couple new additions to the Auburn University Horse Center that will boost the gameday experience for both fans and the team alike.
Highlighting the new adds is a state-of-the-art videoboard that is located between the two arenas. The Auburn program is the first equestrian team in the nation with a full-sized, permanent videoboard.
"We really wanted to elevate this sport and enhance the gameday experience for our fans," Williams said. "My passion is trying to make this sport more mainstream not just at Auburn, but across the country. To do this, we felt that we needed to bring the ultimate gameday experience to our facility for our fans and this videoboard is going to be a big part of that."
In addition, the team has added a Scholarship Lounge, which is currently being finished. The building is going to be a covered, open-aired terrace with TVs streaming the videoboard feed as well as improved amenities for fans. Tickets will be used for admission to the lounge when it's completed.
WE'RE NO. 1
Auburn was voted the No. 1 team in the country according to the NCEA Preseason Poll, the association announced Tuesday.
"I would always prefer not to start at No. 1, but this team has earned it," Williams said. "I don't know who to be more amazed at right now, the team or Coach Jessica Braswell and Coach Mary Meneely. They constantly keep bringing riders to new height while keeping the hard-nose work that I love in play."
The Tigers hold the top spot, while SEC rival Georgia stands at No. 2. TCU, Texas A&M and Baylor are ranked third through fifth, while Oklahoma State, SMU, South Carolina, Fresno State and Delaware State round out the Top 10.
Auburn has held the No. 1 ranking since the November 17, 2015, rankings came out.
LEADERSHIP
Strong leaders are necessary for any team to succeed and Auburn's seniors have been preparing to lead for three years with some of the best coming before them.
The Tigers boast six seniors this season -- Caroline Becker, Ashley Foster, Lena Hernig, Tory Hoft, Jacqueline Shilen, and Hannah Stephens.
Foster and Hoft return to the team following All-America performances on Flat in 2015-16. Foster was placed on the NCEA second team, while Hoft received honorable mention honors.
Stephens played a crucial role in Auburn's run to an SEC Championship, earning MOP honors in the title match vs. Georgia after scoring a 152 in Horsemanship.
But leadership is also coming from freshmen, sophomores and juniors alike.
Junior Alexa Rivard weighed in on what the driving force behind the team is this year from the perspective of one of only 11 upperclassmen.
"We definitely have a big target on our back," Rivard said. "I guess what we're focusing on is how we're riding individually as well as a whole team. We are working on staying focused individually but also staying focused together."
NEW FACES
With 12 freshmen and one junior transfer the team is primarily made up of underclassmen, and while a young team means less experience in collegiate riding it does not mean less determination.
The Western newbies include junior Kelsey Jung and freshmen Kara Kaufmann, Cydney Benes, Drew Rogers, Hannah Byrne, Haley Pembroke, Julia Kelly, and Sydney Hoffa.
Five freshmen join an experienced Hunt Seat crew in Lillian Wagner, Anna Claire Smith, Bailey Brasington, Becky Kozma, and Summer Hill.
EXPERIENCED RETURNERS
The Tigers return six NCEA All-Americans from last year's championship squad. Sophomore Caitlin Boyle is coming off an outstanding freshman season where she was the SEC Freshman Rider of the Year in both Fences and Flat. She was placed on the NCEA All-Championship team in both events, while being named the championship's MOP in Fences.
Joining Boyle in Hunt Seat are seniors Ashley Foster and Tory Hoft and sophomores Hayley Iannotti and Ashton Alexander. Foster and Hoft were All-Americans in Flat, while Iannotti and Alexander were honored in Fences.
On the Western side, sophomores Lauren Diaz and Blair McFarlin and junior Alexa Rivard highlight the talented crew returning to The Plains this season. Rivard is a NCEA All-America honoree in Reining, earning All-SEC nods in the discipline as well. Diaz was named the conference's Horsemanship Freshman Rider of the Year, while McFarlin was placed on the NCEA All-Championship Team after going undefeated in Reining at the national meet.
Adding to the Western depth are sophomores Megan Rauh and Ali Fratessa. The pair were placed on the SEC All-Freshman team in Horsemanship and Reining, respectively.
RING CEREMONY
The 2015-16 Auburn team will be honored prior to the Auburn/LSU football game Saturday, Sept. 24. The team will be presented with both their SEC and NCEA championship rings.
UP NEXT
The Tigers take to the road for a Thursday meet at UT-Martin, Sept. 29. Auburn and the Skyhawks will square off at 1 p.m. CT in the Ned McWerter Agricultural Pavilion.
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