AUBURN, Ala. – The No. 1 Auburn equestrian team faces a tough challenge Saturday, hosting No. 3 South Carolina at the Auburn University Equestrian Center. The Southeastern Conference meet is set for 11 a.m. CT and admission is free.
"South Carolina has been riding really well and has a couple big wins under their belt as of late," head coach Greg Williams said. "They are on a good roll right now and will be a test for us this Saturday. They are going to ride with nothing to lose, but I still feel good about our group. We continue to practice well and hold our focus on what we can do."
PROMOTIONS
Highlighting Saturday's activities for the fans is the Kia of Auburn Dirty Car promotion. The dirtiest car at every home meet will receive a coupon book from Kia of Auburn!
In addition, Aubie's Deputy sheriff badges will be given out.
As always, the Kid's Zone will be set up with a bounce house, pony rides, a coloring station and yard games.
AUBURN LINEUP
Auburn's (11-0, 4-0 SEC) lineup remains consistent as the undefeated Tigers take on the Gamecocks (6-4, 3-2 SEC).
The Horsemanship crew looks to hold momentum as they are coming off a sweep of Baylor two weeks ago. The squad is highlighted by three upperclassmen in senior Kara Kaufmann and juniors Deanna Green and Taylor Searles. Green is 10-0-1 on the season in the event to lead the Tigers, while Searles is third on the team with seven victories and is coming off an MOP performance vs. Baylor (Feb. 15).
Joining the trio are freshmen Olivia Tordoff and Maddie Spak. Tordoff is second on the team with nine wins in the event and has three MOPs so far, while Spak has six victories on the year.
The Reining lineup features three juniors and two freshmen vs. the Gamecocks. Junior Terri-June Granger has a team-best nine wins in the event, while Green has seven and is coming off an MOP ride vs. Baylor.
Freshmen Jen Kasper and Kayla Shelnutt will also compete for the Tigers. Kasper is enjoying a four-match win streak and has eight victories on the season. Shelnutt has a 5-0-1 mark so far in her first campaign on the Plains.
Joining the four will be Searles, who is making her first start in SEC competition in the event.
The Jumping Seat corps is full of experience with junior Taylor St. Jacques and sophomores Emma Kurtz and McKayla Langmeier leading the way. The three will compete in both Fences and Flat for the Tigers vs. the Bears.
Langmeier leads all student-athletes with 20 wins on the year, while Kurtz is second with 18. Both Langmeier and St. Jacques have 10 wins in Flat.
Joining them in both events will be freshman Ava Stearns. Sophomore Meghan Knapic will ride in Fences and freshman Paige Matthies is down for Flat.
SERIES HISTORY
Auburn stands at 26-19 in the series history with the Gamecocks, winning the last 13 meetings. The Tigers are also 10-7 at home vs. SC.
The squads last met in Blythewood, S.C., last fall with the Tigers topping the Gamecocks, 14-6.
UP NEXT
Auburn closes out the regular season at home, hosting nationally-ranked Texas A&M, March 7. The Tigers and the Aggies will face off at 11 a.m. CT at the Auburn University Equestrian Center and the team will honor its senior class during the meet.