AUBURN, Ala. – The No. 1 Auburn equestrian team caps a successful 2018-19 regular season Friday, March 8, hosting rival and No. 7 Georgia at the Auburn University Equestrian Center. The Tigers and the Bulldogs will go head-to-head at 3 p.m. CT and admission is free.
"This has been an amazing season so far and we have an opportunity to close it out with a never before perfect record," head coach Greg Williams said. "Georgia is coming in here as an under-ranked team in my opinion so we're anticipating some very good rides on both sides with big scores. This will be a great meet for fans to watch, but we need them all out there cheering!"
The Tigers are set to celebrate the 15 student-athletes competing on the Plains for the last time. The 2019 class has a combined 55-10 overall record and has won two national titles and one SEC championship. Auburn will recognize the following Tigers at intermission - Ashton Alexander, Caitlin Boyle, Betsy Brown, Lauren Diaz, Ali Fratessa, Sydney Hoffa, Hayley Iannotti, Kelsey Jung, Kennedy Knapic, Alex Ladove, Blair McFarlin, Mackenzie Michaels, Emma Paul, Megan Rauh and Casey Schmitz.
"This year we are saying good bye to not only our largest senior class, but also the winningest class in program history," Williams said. "What I am most grateful for is their leadership this year and the leadership principles they are working to leave installed behind them."
TORNADO RELIEF
Fans attending Friday's meet are welcome to bring items in effort to assist the tornado relief of Lee County and surrounding areas. Donations will be accepted at Gate 14 on the west side of Jordan-Hare Stadium and the McWhorter Parking Lot on the intersection of Samford Ave. and Biggio Drive. In addition, fans are welcome to bring donations to the equestrian center and the Auburn equestrian team will bring them to donation sites.
Items that will be collected include…
- Bottled water
- Diapers
- Baby formula
- Baby wipes
- Trash bags
- Work gloves
- Pet food
- Horse feed
PROMOTIONS
It's a big day out at the Auburn University Equestrian Center Friday as the squad is set to celebrate its 15 seniors in their final home meet on the Plains.
Friday is also the team's annual All Auburn, All Orange meet. The first 150 fans will receive orange Auburn equestrian shirts and orange shakers will be handed out.
In addition, it's Paws and Claws Dog Day. Bring your pup to the meet and get goodies that include dog treats for the four-legged fans!
The Kid's Zone will be set up as usual and admission to all Auburn equestrian meets is free.
AUBURN LINEUP
Highlighting the Auburn lineup (12-0, 5-0) vs. Georgia are the 18 of 20 spots held by upperclassmen.
Seniors Ashton Alexander, Caitlin Boyle and Hayley Iannotti along with sophomore Taylor St. Jacques will guide the Equitation Over Fences corps, while freshman McKayla Langmeier is also slated to compete. All five Tigers riding in the event have eight wins and Langmeier leads the way with a perfect 8-0 mark. Senior Alex Ladove and freshman Emma Kurtz are set to ride in exhibition.
Competing for Auburn in Equitation on the Flat will be Alexander, Boyle, Iannotti, Kurtz and St. Jacques. Alexander and Iannotti have nine wins under their belts, while Boyle has eight. Langmeier and senior Mackenzie Michaels will go in exhibition, while seniors Casey Schmitz and Kennedy Knapic will provide demo rides.
On the Western side, the Horsemanship lineup consists of two seniors, one junior and two sophomores. Senior Lauren Diaz eads the charge with an 11-1 record and six MOPs on the season, while senior Kelsey Jung and sophomore Taylor Searles each have nine wins and one MOP. Sophomore Deanna Green and junior Kara Kaufmann are also set to compete. Freshman Emma Brown will ride in exhibition and senior Megan Rauh will be the alternate. Junior Sydney Hoffa and senior Emma Paul will provide the demos.
Three seniors highlight the Reining lineup for the Tigers in Betsy Brown, Ali Fratessa and Blair McFarlin. Fratessa has a team-best eight victories on the year, while McFarlin provided the meet-winning point in last week's victory at No. 3 SMU. Joining the trio are sophomores Green and Terri-June Granger. Searles will be the alternate and freshman Charlie Sue Pates will ride the demo.
UP NEXT
Postseason action kicks off March 29-30 at the 2019 SEC Championship. The two-day meet will be held in College Station, Texas, and is hosted by Texas A&M.