AUBURN, Ala. – The No. 1 Auburn equestrian team is set for another test this Friday, Nov. 2, as the Tigers host No. 2 Texas A&M in the final home meet of the fall. The two SEC rivals will go head-to-head at 3 p.m. CT at the Auburn University Equestrian Center.
"These are the kind of meets that competition is all about," head coach Greg Williams said. "The two top teams in the country going head-to-head when both are riding extremely well. It's going to be a great showdown Friday afternoon. Fans will get to see two teams that will finish strong at the end of the year and it's going to be exciting."
PROMOTIONS
It's celebration time for the national champions so come celebrate last season's achievements at the Auburn University Equestrian Center. First 125 fans will receive a mini championship banner, commemorating our fifth national championship trophy.
There will also be opportunities to take pictures with the championship trophies and Aubie will be in attendance.
After the meet, there will be an autograph session with some members of the equestrian team.
As always, the Kid's Zone will be available as long as the weather cooperates. Available for young fans will be an inflatable bounce house and other fun yard games. Pony rides and 'Paint a Pony' will be out for kids as well.
AUBURN LINEUP
A strong and experienced lineup will be up for the challenge when the Tigers face the Aggies on SEC play Friday afternoon.
Senior All-Americans Ashton Alexander, Caitlin Boyle and Hayley Iannotti highlight the Hunt Seat portion of the meet as the trio will compete in both Equitation Over Fences and Equitation on the Flat. Sophomore All-American Taylor St. Jacques is also slated to ride in both events for the Tigers. Alexander and Iannotti are both undefeated in each event so far this season.
Senior All-American Alex Ladove and junior Becky Kozma are set to round out the Fences and Flat lineup, respectively.
For the exhibition rides, senior Mackenzie Michaels will be competing in Flat and sophomore Carly Hoft will ride over Fences.
For the Western corps, it will be another week of continuity and experience. Horsemanship will repeat the same lineup that faced then-No. 5 Oklahoma State last time out. Seniors Lauren Diaz and Kelsey Jung will try to extend their unbeaten records with wins against the Aggies. The duo each stands at 3-0 on the year, with Diaz earning an MOP so far this season. Junior Kara Kaufmann and sophomores Deanna Green and Taylor Searles round out the five. Junior Haley Pembroke will compete in exhibition for the Tigers.
Seniors Betsy Brown, Ali Fratessa and Blair McFarlin lead the Reining crew. Sophomore Terri-June Granger will go for her second-straight victory after collecting a win against OSU. Green will look to improve her unbeaten record in Reining after wins over South Carolina (9/28) and Oklahoma State (10/19).
AUBURN-TEXAS A&M SERIES HISTORY
Despite Auburn having a 16-6 mark in the overall series, the history between these two teams has been tight. The squads have battled to a tie three times in the last three years.
Auburn is 8-0 at home against the Aggies.
UP NEXT
The Tigers cap the fall portion of the 2018-19 season at No. 7 Georgia Friday, Nov. 9, in Bishop, Ga.