March 16, 2017
AUBURN, Ala. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" Senior Jacqueline Shilen of the No. 1 Auburn equestrian team was named to the 2017 SEC Community Service Team, the league office announced Thursday.
In a continuing effort to recognize the accomplishments of student-athletes beyond the field of competition, the SEC once again highlighted a Community Service Team for the sport of Equestrian for the 2016-17 season.
All 21 league-sponsored sports have had a Community Service Team since 2004, with at-large teams for men's and women's sports being chosen from 1999-2003. The SEC began this concept with a football Community Service Team in 1994.
A native of Greenwich, Connecticut, Shilen spends her Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings at Storybook Farm, a facility in neighboring Opelika, Ala., that provides equine assisted activities for children and young adults facing physical, mental, and emotional challenges. There, she spends her mornings rehabbing and exercising the horses, while helping with general tasks around the barn. In addition, she has spent Saturdays (when not with the team) out on the farm clipping and grooming the horses.
Shilen also joins the entire team at local elementary schools where the group helps with morning drop off and welcomes the kids to school. In addition, Shilen spent this past summer working with a young student with cerebral palsy, helping her become a better rider and compete in championship events.
The Tigers host the 2017 SEC Championships next week, March 24-25, at the Auburn University Horse Center. AU is the No. 2 seed, while Georgia comes in at No. 1. Texas A&M is No. 3 and South Carolina comes in at No. 4. The Tigers and the Aggies kick things off with a 9 a.m. CT meet Friday. Admission is free.
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