AUBURN, Ala. – The No. 1 seed and two-time defending national champion Auburn equestrian team will close out the 2020-21 season at the National Collegiate Equestrian Association National Championship, April 15-17, at the Extraco Events Center in Waco, Texas.
"We are definitely not taking this opportunity for granted after not having nationals last year," head coach Greg Williams said. "Coach Mary Meneely and coach Jessica Braswell do such a great job with our athletes and will have them ready. This team is riding lights out and they are very together and have one goal."
The Tigers (8-0) will face off with No. 8 seed Baylor Thursday, April 15, starting at 10 a.m. CT.
"This team still feels like they have to prove themselves," Williams said. "They are geared to come out and compete and we're really looking forward to this week."
AUBURN LINEUP
The Auburn lineup for the Tigers features a wealth of All-Americans and SEC honorees.
The Fences crew is led by SEC Fences Rider of the Year and senior Taylor St. Jacques. The Glen Allen, Virginia product is 8-0-0 in the event with three MOPs. Joining her will be junior All-Americans Meghan Knapic, Emma Kurtz and McKayla Langmeier. Sophomore Ava Stearns will be the alternate.
St. Jacques will lead the Flat corps after picking up her third straight SEC Flat Rider of the Year honor. The All-American is 8-0-0 on the season. Langmeier and Kurtz will also compete following a solid year in the event with Stearns filling out the final spot. Ellie Ferrigno, the SEC Freshman Flat Rider of the Year will be the alternate.
Horsemanship will be guided by the SEC Rider of the Year in Taylor Searles. The senior holds a 7-0-1 record. She is joined by classmate Deanna Green and sophomores Olivia Tordoff and Maddie Spak. The quartet head into the national meet as All-Americans. The SEC Freshman Horsemanship Rider of the Year in Madison Parduhn will serve as the alternate.
Auburn's Reining crew is led by a trio of seniors in Green, Searles and Terri-June Granger. Joining the three will be SEC Reining Rider of the Year in Boo Kammerer. The Mount Sterling, Kentucky native is 7-0-1 on the year. The Auburn alternate will be SEC Freshman Reining Rider of the Year Isabella Tesmer.
SPECTATOR INFORMATION
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this year's championship will be closed to the general public. Only player/coach guests may enter the Extraco Events Center if they are on an approved limited parent passlist from one of the participating schools. Seating is general admission and fans are encouraged to practice social distancing. Parents will enter from Bosque Blvd. and park in the designated lots. Parent passlist attendees will use the South entrance and present a valid ID for admission.
All fans will be required to wear a face covering while inside the Extraco Events Center and socially distance.
