April 26, 2018
AUBURN, Ala. ââ'¬" The 2017-18 Auburn equestrian team knew they had what it took to win it all. They had the talent. They had the drive. All they had to do was put it together.
After falling short in the SEC Championship match, the Tigers had one word in mind ââ'¬" redemption. With a dominate showing in every event during the 2018 NCEA Championship week (April 18-21), the team's goal was accomplished.
"We were ready for redemption and everyone came through," junior Caitlin Boyle said after Auburn defeated Georgia in the NCEA national championship match. "It was a great feeling to put together clean rides and get that edge over the Bulldogs."
The Tigers put together one of the most impressive runs at the NCEA Championship. In a year that featured seven possible chances to take home a trophy, the Tigers came away with five.
Auburn opened the final day of nationals with a dominating 10-5 victory over long-time rival and No. 1 seed Georgia to take home the program's fifth national championship and second in the last three years.
The squad followed with a pair of titles in Equitation Over Fences and Horsemanship, while being just edged in raw score in the Equitation on the Flat and Reining finals. Auburn also claimed both the overall Hunt Seat and the overall Western crowns after advancing all four event squads to the event finals.
"As great as Auburn is, this really makes a statement on what coach Jessica Braswell and coach Mary Meneely are doing both at practice and in competition for this team," head coach Greg Williams said. "I have two of the best position coaches in the country. We have a bright future with what we're doing in Auburn."
Auburn may be losing only three seniors, but it's a class with big shoes to fill starting with Alexa Rivard.
The Suwanee, Ga., product had eyed the Reining career wins record throughout her time on the Plains and on Feb. 17, Rivard pushed past Indy Roper's record of 34 to become the winningest rider in program history.
"Every time I walked out of the locker room, I would see Indy's name at the top with 34," Rivard said after breaking the record. "I have looked up to her forever because she is an amazing rider and amazing leader. I wanted that spot so much and it feels really good to finally get there."
Rivard concluded her four-year career with 44 victories to her name. She also holds the program's record for meets competed with 69 and her 13 wins in 2017-18 finished in a tie for first on the single-season wins list.
In addition to her record-breaking season, Rivard took home a handful of honors. She was placed on the NCEA All-America honorable mention team in Reining, while also earning a spot on the NCEA All-Championship squad.
With classmates Caitlin Creel and Abby Wagner, the 2017-18 senior class put down a foundation of hard work and determination that will last for years to come.
"This group has been laying the groundwork since their first year," Williams said. "They are leaving a legacy that future teams will benefit from."
The youth on the Auburn squad was evident throughout the season, but mostly highlighted at the national meet. The Auburn Hunt Seat crew will not lose a single rider from this year's championship run, while the lone senior on the Western side was Rivard.
Auburn juniors Caitlin Boyle, Hayley Iannotti, and Ashton Alexander played a big role in the program's 2016 national title and once again made their presence known on the national stage last week.
Boyle finished her championship with just one loss, going 13-1 in both Fences and Flat. The All-American in both events was named the national meet's Most Outstanding Performer in Fences, while earning a spot on both All-Championship teams.
Iannotti, the SEC Flat Co-Rider of the Year and first team All-American in the event, was placed on the All-Championship Flat team. Alexander secured a spot on the All-Championship Fences team.
Freshman Taylor St. Jacques came on the scene late in the fall and put an exclamation on her first year with the Tigers. The Glen Allen, Va., product picked up 28 wins overall between Fences and Flat with just four losses combined. The SEC Freshman Rider of the Year in both events also went undefeated at the national meet with a 14-0 mark. The All-American was named MOP in Flat and was placed on both All-Championship squads.
In addition, Boyle and Iannotti found themselves on top of a pair of single-season wins lists at the conclusion of the year. Boyle tied her own record in Fences set with 16 victories in the event, while Iannotti's 17 wins this year tied Elizabeth Benson's record set in 2016.
Horsemanship riders Kelsey Jung and Deanna Green with Reining competitors Rivard, Betsy Brown, and Terri-June Granger saw big rides and big awards all season.
Jung and Green were named NCEA All-American Second Team honorees as well as All-SEC performers. Green picked up Auburn's third-straight SEC Freshman Rider of the Year in the event.
Jung and Green also concluded the season in the top two slots on the single-season wins list. Jung set the new record after earning 15 victories this year, while Green came in tied for second with Tiger great Griffin Knight at 14.
Granger, a freshman from Dothan, Ala., had an outstanding first year in Reining for Auburn. She finished in a tie for first with Rivard with 13 wins on the year and was named the SEC Freshman Reining Rider of the Year, while also securing first team All-America recognition.
Brown, a junior from Waxhaw, N.C., came in second on the team with 12 wins and was honored as the SEC Reining Co-Rider of the Year.
To add to the brightness of the future for Auburn, six freshmen were selected to the four SEC All-Freshman teams ââ'¬" St. Jacques (Flat & Fences), Carly Hoft (Fences), Green (Horsemanship & Reining), Taylor Searles (Horsemanship), Granger (Reining), and Savannah Ostner (Reining).
The team held its annual banquet, April 25, to cap the outstanding season. Team-voted Most Valuable Player awards went to St. Jacques (Hunt Seat), Alexander (co-Fences), Boyle (co-Fences), Iannotti (Flat), Green (Western), Jung (Horsemanship), and Rivard (Reining). Green was also named the Rookie of the Year, while fellow freshman Nicole Ellis was given the Unsung Hero award.
Creel picked up her third-straight Spirit award and Wagner once again took home the Morgan McQuay Work Horse honor.
The Western and Hunt Seat awards given by the coaches went to sophomores Haley Pembroke and Becky Kozma.
With the championship won and the awards handed out, the 2017-18 season was another for the record books. And with the return of 15 of 16 championship lineup slots, next year is on pace to be another big one for the program.
"The 2018-19 season looks really bright for Auburn equestrian," Williams said
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