AUBURN, Ala. - The No. 1 Auburn equestrian takes to the road for a Thursday meet at UT Martin, Sept. 29. The Tigers and the Skyhawks square off at 1 p.m. CT at the Ned McWherter Agricultural Complex.
Live scoring is unavailable for Thursday's contest, but fans can follow @AuburnEQ on Twitter for live updates.
Auburn is coming off a successful showing vs. Ole Miss last week, Sept. 23, as they defeated the Rebels, 18-2, in exhibition. Going on the road to officially start the season will provide the team with new challenges, but also opportunities to grow.
"We're always ready to travel because we get to gel more as a team," head coach Greg Williams said. "It is great to have our team scrimmages and exhibitions because it shows where we are at this point in our riding. However, I really like getting the whole group away from Auburn and on the road together because it really helps the team focus on the task at hand."
Road meets present new obstacles for the team, especially to the new faces. The team will be competing on UTM horses, which will require even more focus than before.
"We've got a number of people that have a lot of experience on the road and that will allow our freshmen to lean on those who have done this before," Williams said. "Road meets are always a challenge and so we need to focus on not over doing it and forcing mistakes."
UT MARTIN SERIES HISTORY
Thursday's meeting is the 10th time the two teams have squared off in a dual format. The Tigers are 9-0 over the Skyhawks with a 7-0 record on the road in Martin.
Last year, Auburn traveled to UTM (Sept. 18, 2015) and came away with a 13-7 victory. Then-senior Elizabeth Benson was MOP in both Flat & Fences, while Lauren Diaz earned MOP honors in Horsemanship.
AUBURN LINEUP
A handful of returners are making their 2016-17 debut in the Auburn lineup this week.
The Hunt Seat crew is highlighted by five NCEA All-Americans in seniors Ashley Foster and Tory Hoft and sophomores Ashton Alexander, Caitlin Boyle, and Hayley Iannotti. Foster, Alexander, and Boyle will compete in both Equitation Over Fences and Equitation on the Flat for the Tigers. Iannotti will ride in Fences, while Hoft earned a spot in Flat. Making her collegiate debut in Fences is freshman Becky Kozma, while junior Caitlin Creel will join the Flat group.
In Western, sophomore Lauren Diaz will compete in both Horsemanship and Reining for Auburn. Diaz is the reigning SEC Freshman Horsemanship Rider of the Year.
Two other veterans join Diaz in Horsemanship in senior Hannah Stephens and sophomore Megan Rauh. Riding for Auburn for the first time in the event is junior transfer Kelsey Jung and freshman Kara Kaufmann.
The Reining corps features a lineup of experienced collegiate riders. In addition to Diaz, the lineup is highlighted by NCEA All-American Alexa Rivard and NCEA All-Championship Team member Blair McFarlin. Sophomores Ali Fratessa and Betsy Brown round out the experienced group.
FIFTEENTH SEASON OF VARSITY EQUESTRIAN
The 2016-17 season marks the 15th year of varsity equestrian at Auburn. Head coach Greg Williams has guided the Tigers since the program was recognized by the Athletics Department and has amassed an impressive 118-48 overall record.
In 14 years, Auburn has earned four NCEA Championships (2006, 2011, 2013, 2016), one Southeastern Conference title (2016), three Southern Equestrian Conference crowns (2004, 2010, 2011) and three NCEA Hunt Seat championships (2008, 2011, 2013).
Individually, Auburn boasts 41 All-Americans and 34 All-SEC selections. The Southeastern Conference first began sponsoring equestrian in 2012-13.
WE'RE NO. 1
After earning the No. 1 spot in the NCEA Preseason Poll, the Tigers enter this week's competition still in the top spot, the organization announced Wednesday.
"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. Texas A&M, TCU, and Baylor are ranked third through fifth, while SMU, Oklahoma State, South Carolina, Fresno State and New Mexico State round out the Top 10.
Auburn has held the No. 1 ranking since the November 17, 2015, rankings came out.
UP NEXT
Auburn remains on the road and travels to the state of Delaware for a pair of meets. The Tigers take on Delaware State, Oct. 7, and follow with a faceoff with Fresno State, Oct. 8. Both meets will take place at the Dovington Training Center in Felton, Del.
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