AUBURN, Ala. – The No. 1 Auburn equestrian team kicks off its home slate this week as the team welcomes No. 7 Texas A&M to the Auburn University Equestrian Center Friday, Oct. 30. The Tigers (2-0, 2-0 SEC) and the Aggies (0-0) will go head-to-head at 11 a.m. CT.
"We have had two great road meets and now are ready to come home," said Greg Williams. "We're looking forward to the freshmen getting to finally experience meet day at home and we're ready to compete in front of our family and fans.
"Texas A&M is always a tough team to face no matter where we compete," Williams added. "They have a busy weekend as they travel to Georgia the day before competing against us, but we know they will bring their best here Friday. I expect us to ride really hard if we want to end the fall with a win."
SPECTATOR INFORMATION
Capacity at the Auburn University Equestrian Center will be reduced to an Auburn and visiting team pass list, a limited number of Auburn students and a limited number of general public seats. Admission is free.
Fans are asked to review the guidelines regarding meet day at the Auburn University Equestrian Center. Face coverings will be required for all spectators and meet day workers. Fans will be asked to stay in specifically marked locations and practice on-way traffic flow designated by signage. Fans are also asked to socially distance themselves from other members of the public in all locations.
Auburn Athletics remains focused on providing a healthy and safe environment for all patrons. Information related to attendance and health and safety protocols will be handled on a game-by-game basis and updates will be provided when available.
For more on meet day information, please click HERE.
AUBURN LINEUP
Once again, the Tigers have a similar lineup this week as they have had the previous two weeks.
The only change this week is in the Horsemanship lineup as freshman Jacqueline Frimodt will start in her first meet as a Tiger. The North Bend, Wash., product will be joined by senior All-Americans Deanna Green and Taylor Searles. Green picked up a win at Georgia last week with 78 points, while Searles earned a tie.
Sophomores Olivia Tordoff and Maddie Spak also return to the lineup after very successful rides vs. the Bulldogs a week ago. Tordoff earned MOP honors with a 78.5-75.5 victory, while Spak scored a career-best 77.5 in her win.
The Reining corps features the same lineup from last week. Seniors Terri-June Granger, Green and Searles will once again lead the charge. The trio each have a win this season under their belts. Joining them is sophomore Boo Kammerer and freshman Isabella Tesmer. The pair of underclassmen picked big wins for the Tigers against Georgia to help the squad take home the win.
On the Jumping Seat side, the squad will again feature the same five for both Fences and Flat vs. the Aggies. Leading the way is senior All-American and back-to-back NCEA and SEC Flat Rider of the Year Taylor St. Jacques. The Glen Allen, Va., product has been consistent so far this year and is 4-0-0 on the season with two wins in both events.
Joining her are juniors Meghan Knapic, Emma Kurtz and McKayla Langmeier. Kurtz had a big score in Flat vs. Georgia, earning MOP with a career-high 94. She is 2-2-0 on the season over both events. Langmeier holds a 3-1-0 record after going 1-1 against the Bulldogs with a win in Fences. Knapic is 2-2-0 on the year.
Sophomore Ava Stearns joins the crew in both Flat and Fences. The All-American earned a big win in Flat for the Tigers last week, scoring 88 points to top her opponent.
AUBURN-TEXAS A&M SERIES
Auburn leads the all-time series, 21-6, against the Aggies, winning the last seven meetings. The Tigers are also 10-0 at home vs. A&M.
The squads last met in Auburn in the 2019-20 regular season finale where the Tigers capped another perfect season with a 10-9 victory, March 7. With the meet tied at 9-all with one ride to go, now senior Terri-June Granger closed out the day with a 70.5-70 edge to help Auburn take the win.
MOVING UP THE RANKS
A handful of Tigers are making moves on the Auburn career lists this year. Senior Taylor St. Jacques is third in career wins in Flat with 42 and is fifth in career wins in Fences with 38.
Seniors Taylor Searles and Deanna Green are in a race to reach the top of the Horsemanship career wins list. The pair are tied for third with 36 wins apiece. Former Tiger Lauren Diaz (2015-19) stands on top of the record list with 41.
Senior Terri-June Granger has 36 wins in Reining in her career and is tied for second overall. She needs nine more to break Alexa Rivard's (2014-18) record of 44.
UP NEXT
Auburn will return to competition in the spring. That schedule will be announced at a later date.
