Feb. 8, 2017
AUBURN, Ala. -- The No. 3 Auburn equestrian team officially kicks off the 2017 portion of the season Saturday, hosting SEC rival and No. 7 Georgia Saturday at the Auburn University Horse Center. Action is set to start at 1 p.m. CT.
"This has been a good rivalry for us and it's always a big meet," head coach Greg Williams said. "Georgia had a pair of really strong wins last week and they have a lot of momentum coming here this weekend. We've been really strong all year and I'm so excited to see this group put on some great performances this weekend. Coach Mary Meneely and Coach Jessica Braswell have done a great job and the team will be ready to reach the bar that they have set for themselves."
PROMOTIONS
It's our All Auburn, All Orange meet so come out wearing ORANGE! We'll also be giving out Aubie Bobbletails (while supplies last) so get out to the Auburn Horse Center early. As always, there will be pony rides, a mini jump course and paint/pet a pony for kids.
AUBURN LINEUP
Auburn (4-2, 2-1) will be represented by an experienced group of student-athletes Saturday vs. the Bulldogs
Hunt Seat opens the day in Equitation Over Fences and will be led by senior Ashley Foster, who is 6-1 in the event this season. She will be joined by sophomores Ashton Alexander, Caitlin Boyle, and Hayley Iannotti. Making her first Fences start of the season will be sophomore Alex Ladove.
Alexander, Boyle, Foster, and Iannotti will also represent Auburn in Equitation on the Flat. Senior Tory Hoft is set to compete in the event and enters the weekend with a 6-1 mark on Flat.
An experienced group will ride for the Tigers in Horsemanship as the crew has totaled 23 wins in the event this season. Freshman Kara Kaufmann is undefeated with a 5-0-1 record, while sophomore Megan Rauh holds a 5-1 overall mark. Senior Hannah Stephens, junior Kelsey Jung, and sophomore Lauren Diaz each have four wins on the year.
The Reining corps features an experienced crew with junior Alexa Rivard at the helm. Sophomores Betsy Brown, Ali Fratessa, and Blair McFarlin will also compete for the Tigers with Kaufmann joining the lineup.
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 122-50 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.
AUBURN MOVES UP TO THIRD
The Tigers open the spring season as the No. 3 team nationally, according to the most recent NCEA Coaches Poll.
Baylor jumped up to No. 1, while Texas A&M holds on at No. 2. Oklahoma State and Fresno State rounds out the top five. SMU, Georgia, South Carolina, New Mexico State, and TCU rank Nos. 6-10.
AUBURN-GEORGIA SERIES HISTORY
Georgia leads the all-time series with a 22-11 overall mark over the Tigers in dual competition. The Bulldogs hold a slight edge in meets competed on The Plains, 7-6.
The Tigers have won three of the last four meetings at home vs. the Bulldogs. Last season, Auburn defeated then-No. 1 Georgia (Nov. 13, 2015) to secure the nation's top spot in the polls and never looked back.
UP NEXT
The Tigers close out their regular season home schedule next weekend, hosting UT-Martin. Auburn and the Skyhawks are set to face off at 1 p.m CT, Feb. 18, at the AU Horse Center. The Tigers will honor their six seniors during the meet.
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