Oct. 13, 2016
AUBURN, Ala. -- The No. 2 Auburn equestrian team returns to the Auburn University Horse Center for a crucial meet early in the season, hosting No. 1 Texas A&M Saturday at 10 a.m. CT. Admission is free for Auburn's Southeastern Conference opener.
"This will be a really good test for us with Texas A&M coming off a good win at South Carolina," head coach Greg Williams said. "This weekend will show us how strong we are and what we need to continue to work on. We're a really good team and, if we can pull it all together at the same time, we're always tough to beat."
The top-ranked Aggies come to The Plains with a 2-0 record and are 1-0 in conference competition after defeating nationally-ranked South Carolina, 10-8, on the road, Sept. 30. TAMU opened the season with a 12-7 road victory at UT Martin (Sept. 23).
PROMOTIONS
Fans are welcome to enjoy free chicken biscuits and refreshments for the early morning meet (while supplies last). We're also giving away free Auburn Equestrian Tumblers! As always, the kid zone will be available with pony rides, mini jump course and paint a pony.
AUBURN LINEUP
Auburn's (2-1) roster for the weekend features a handful of experienced veterans in addition to a trio of newcomers.
The Tigers will boast three sophomores, one senior, and one freshman in the Equitation Over Fences lineup. Ashton Alexander, Caitlin Boyle, Ashley Foster, and Hayley Iannotti will each make their fourth start of the season in the event, while freshman Becky Kozma will compete in her second meet of the year.
Starting for Auburn in Horsemanship is senior Hannah Stephens, junior Kelsey Jung, sophomores Lauren Diaz and Megan Rauh and freshman Kara Kaufmann. Jung and Kaufmann each have three wins in the event for the Tigers this season.
Alexander, Boyle, Foster, and Iannotti will all represent Auburn in Equitation on the Flat. The quartet will be joined by senior Tory Hoft.
The Reining corps will feature sophomores Ali Fratessa and Blair McFarlin. The pair have three wins a piece this year, while Fratessa boasts two MOP honors. Junior Alexa Rivard, sophomore Betsy Brown, and Kaufmann will also compete for Auburn.
TEXAS A&M SERIES HISTORY
Saturday's meet is the 17th meeting between the two teams since they first faced off during the 2003-04 season. The Tigers are 11-5 overall vs. the Aggies and hold a 7-0 mark in Auburn.
LAST MEETING - APRIL 16, 2016
The Tigers and the Aggies last squared off in the NCEA Championship Semifinal with Auburn coming away with a 10-6 victory.
The Hunt Seat corps finished 6-2 against TAMU. Caitlin Boyle and Elizabeth Benson went undefeated in both Flat and Fences, while Ashley Foster captured a point for Auburn in Flat and Hayley Iannotti won her match in Fences.
Auburn's Horsemanship crew finished 3-1 as then-seniors Hannah Loseke and Griffin Knight lead the way with 155 and 154 points, respectively, in their wins. Lauren Diaz also picked up an Auburn point in the event.
Blair McFarlin earned a 139-136.5 victory for the Tigers in Reining.
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 120-49 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.
UP NEXT
Auburn continues its homestand and hosts Alabama in an exhibition meet, Oct. 21, at 3 p.m. CT. The Tigers and the Tide will face off at the Auburn University Horse Center with only the Hunt Seat student-athletes competing.
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