AUBURN, Ala. – The No. 1 Auburn equestrian team is excited to add more talent to the 2020-21 season as 11 student-athletes signed with the program, head coach Greg Williams announced.
Joining the Tigers on the Jumping Seat side will be Ellie Ferrigno (Newtown, Conn.), Grace Pearson (Seattle, Wash.) and Gracie Sullivan (Montgomery, Ala.)
The Western crew will add Kate Buchanan (Scottsdale, Ariz.), Jacqueline Frimodt (North Bend, Wash.), Olivia Marino (Birmingham, Ala.), Rylee Montgomery (Opelika, Ala.), Madison Parduhn (Edmond, Okla.), Jentry Shandley (Bellvue, Colo.), Isabella Tesmer (Mt. Orab, Ohio) and Hattie Jo Tucker (Grafton, W.V.).
"We have a large group coming in, particularly in the western events," Williams said "They are an extremely accomplished class and all of them are very well positioned for success at the collegiate success. It looks like continued success is in store for Auburn equestrian!"
KATE BUCHANAN
Hometown: Scottsdale, Ariz.
High School: K12 International
Event: Western (Reining)
HIGHLIGHTS: 2019 Youth World Bronze Ranch Riding Champion … 2019 Youth World Bronze Cow Horse Champion … 2019 NRCHA NonPro Bridle Spectacular and Reserve Champion … 2018 Youth World Heading Champion … 2014 Youth World Bronze Reining Champion.
ELLIE FERRIGNO
Hometown: Newtown, Conn.
High School: The Wooster School
Event: Jumping Seat
HIGHLIGHTS: 2019 USEF Talent Search Finals East Winner … 2019 US Junior Hunter Finals East Coast Grand Champion … 2019 ASPCA Maclay Region 4 Champion … 10th place at the 2019 USEF Medal Finals … 2018 US Junior Hunter Finals East Coast Younger Large Junior Hunter Champion.
JACQUELINE FRIMODT
Hometown: North Bend, Wash.
High School: Mount Si
Event: Western (Horsemanship)
HIGHLIGHTS: 2019 NSBA Color Horsemanship Champion … 2018 NSBA Color Showmanship Champion … 2018 NSBA Color Horsemanship Reserve Champion … 12-time ApHC World Champion … Seven-time ApHc Reserve World Champion.
OLIVIA MARINO
Hometown: Birmingham, Ala.
High School: John Carroll Catholic
Event: Western (Reining)
HIGHLIGHTS: 2019 TNRHA Non Pro year end Champion, Limited Non Pro year end Champion, and Intermediate Non Pro year end Champion … 2018 NRHA Youth 14-18 World Champion … Fourth-place finisher in the 2018 NRHA youth 14-18 world standings … 2018 Youth 14-18 Top Ten at Congress.
RYLEE MONTGOMERY
Hometown: Opelika, Ala.
High School: Alabama Connections Academy
Event: Western (Horsemanship)
HIGHLIGHTS: 2019 AQHA Level 1 Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle Top 10 … Top 15 finisher in 2019 AQHA Level 1 Trail Championships … 2018 AQHA Level 1 Trail Reserve Champion.
MADISON PARDUHN
Hometown: Edmond, Okla.
High School: Heritage Hall
Event: Western (Horsemanship)
HIGHLIGHTS: 2018 AQHA Youth World Reserve Champion Trail … 2018 NSBA World Youth Trail finalist … Multiple Top 10 Congress finishes.
GRACE PEARSON
Hometown: Seattle, Wash.
High School: Yellow Wood Academy
Event: Jumping Seat
HIGHLIGHTS: First place at the 2018 ASPCA Maclay Region 7 Finals … First place finish at the 2019 USHJA Zone 9 Equitation Championship … 2019 R.W. Mutch Equitation Championship – fourth place … Finished seventh at the 2017 USHJA Jumping Seat Medal Finals East.
JENTRY SHANDLEY
Hometown: Bellvue, Colo.
High School: Heritage Christian Academy
Event: Western (Horsemanship)
HIGHLIGHTS: 2018 Reserve World Champion Level 2 Western Riding … 2018 Bronze World Champion Level 3 Western Riding … 2018 Congress Reserve Champion L1 Western Riding and Trail (NSBA) … 2018 Congress Top 10 15-18 Horsemanship and Western Riding.
GRACIE SULLIVAN
Hometown: Montgomery, Ala.
High School: Saint James School
Event: Jumping Seat
HIGHLIGHTS: USHJA Children's and Adult Amateur Hunter Championship … Junior Hunter Finals from 2017-2019 … Seventh place at the 2018 Junior Hunter Finals – Younger Large Junior Hunters.
ISABELLA TESMER
Hometown: Mt. Orab, Ohio
High School: Western Brown
Event: Western (Reining)
HIGHLIGHTS: 2018 NRBC Rookie Champion … 2019 Bill Bradley Rookie Champion … 2017 OQHA Year End Point Champion … Three-time Top 3 All American Quarter Horse Congress … Multiple Top 10 All American Quarter Horse Congress finishes.
HATTIE JO TUCKER
Hometown: Grafton, W.V.
High School: Grafton
Event: Western (Reining)
HIGHLIGHTS: 2019 Top 15 All American Quarter Horse Congress … 2019 East Central Champion Youth Team … 2019 Top 10 Year End – Buckeye Reining Series.