Freshman Kayla Shelnutt didn't have to go far to find the school where she belonged. The Loganville, Ga., product has a 2-0-1 record in Reining following the fall season and is ready to continue strong the rest of the year to help the Tigers reach their goals at the end.
Q: Do you have any pre-meet superstitions?
A: I have to be wearing my lucky socks when I compete. I also pray a lot.
Q: What is the best vacation you've ever been on?
A: I have two: First, I worked for a zoo for two weeks this summer in Australia. Also, since I was a child, my family has been traveling to the top of Beartooth Highway in Wyoming. It is one of my favorite places in the world.
Q: What is your favorite dessert?
A: Something funny about me is that I do not like chocolate, but I LOVE chocolate covered strawberries.
Q: If you could no longer ride a horse at your meets, what animal would you choose and why?
A: Definitely an ostrich. Can you imagine how funny that would be with the different events? Imagine an ostrich jumping or doing a horsemanship pattern or even a sliding stop. That would be hilarious.
Q: What is your go-to salad dressing?
A: I will put anything on my salad except for bleu cheese. We have a girl on our team that doesn't use any dressing on her salad and I cannot get on board with that.
Q: What is your favorite Auburn sport other than equestrian?
A: I am a big football fan! I had never been to a college football game before I came to Auburn. The environment itself is so much fun. Win or lose, I'm always cheering for our boys.
Q: If you're stranded on a deserted island, what three teammates do you bring with you and why?
A: 1) Olivia Tordoff - She's really tall and would be able to reach for stuff up in the trees.
2) Mary McDaniel - She's a great cook.
3) Boo Kammerer - … just in case someone has to take one for the team.
Q: What is your favorite fruit and least favorite vegetable?
A: My favorite fruit is raspberries. I really like all veggies, but if I had to pick one least favorite I would go with zucchini.
Q: What is your favorite Auburn tradition?
A: My favorite tradition is when the eagle flies onto the field at football games. My father is a licensed falconer so my entire family finds it really cool!
Q: Do you believe in supernatural creatures like aliens or Bigfoot?
A: "Mom, do I believe in aliens or Bigfoot?" - Me
"No, do we have proof that they exist?" - Shelley [Mom]
"Do we have proof they don't exist?" - Me
"Shut up" - Mom
Q: If you could have any superpower what would it be and why?
A: Compulsion - It sounds weird, but I would like the ability to force people to tell me the truth or to make them do different things, like they do in The Vampire Diaries. It may sound creepy, but it's really cool.
Q: Why did you choose Auburn for equestrian?
A: I came to a clinic and a camp and fell in love with the campus, coaches, and the Auburn mentality. After that, I knew this was where I belonged.
Q: If you could ask your pet three questions, what would they be?
A: I would ask my horse "Taxi":
Can you please +1.5 all of your maneuvers?
Can you let me know what hurts so we can tell the vet?
Do you get nervous when we show?
Q: What is your major and what do you plan to do with it?
A: My major is wildlife pre-vet. After vet school, I would like to be a vet at a zoo or a national park. My dream jobs include being a vet at Animal Kingdom, Zoo Atlanta, or Yellowstone National Park.
Q: If you could say one thing to the Auburn Family what would it be?
A: Thank you. Ever since I committed everyone has welcomed me into this huge family. Everyone I've met loves the equestrian team and all of that support means the world to us. Some people haven't accepted equestrian as a sport, but the Auburn Family has. I will be forever thankful to have this connection with all of these amazing people. I cannot thank my coaches enough for giving me this new family. War Eagle!