It's time to meet the newcomers to the 2021-22 Auburn equestrian team!
Up next is a freshman from Conyers, Georgia … Victoria Zember! Victoria is a Horsemanship rider that had a lot of success prior to her time on the Plains. She is a multiple GQHA Circuit champion as well as the Summer Kickoff Level 1 High Point Champion. Victoria also has a strong base in leadership as she has served as a GQHA delegate and the AQHYA Region 10 Director.
Q: What brought you to Auburn?
Zember: "What brought me to Auburn was the work ethic and attitude the equestrian team displays. They work harder than anyone I know, and I knew that I wanted to be a part of something like that."
How old were you when you started riding?
"I started riding when I was 7 years old, and one of my coaches was Dawn Lovern. She always made me get back on when I fell off, and everyone needs someone like that. We also had lots of slumber parties at shows and that was my favorite."
Do you have a spirit animal, what is it and why?
"My spirit animal is a squirrel, according to Kaitlyn Ferguson. I'm frantic, always busy doing something, and easily distracted."
What is your major and what do you plan to do with it?
"My major is Agribusiness and Finance. I have no idea what I want to do with it just yet, but I really enjoy biology, economics, and farming."
What is your relationship with your teammates like? With the coaches and staff?
"My relationship with my teammates is something very special to me. Everyone is very different from each other, but still get along so well. We hold each other accountable and push each other to be the best we can be. All the coaches make it very clear that they don't just care about our ability to ride, but the kind of person we are and who we become after college."
How do you and your teammates make practice fun?
"My teammates and I make practice fun by cheering for each other and dancing to music during meet prep. I also love how Coach Mary Meneely asks us what we're thankful for every day before practice."
Tell me something about yourself that not a lot of people know.
"Something that people don't know about me is that I am very fascinated by cattle production and going to a meat processing center was the most interesting thing I've ever seen."
What are your goals for this season? What are your goals for the team?
"My goal for this season is to always be working as hard as possible and give everything I do 100% of my effort. My goal for the team is to continue to work hard and better the team for the girls that are here not only now, but also long after we graduate.
If you could travel anywhere for 24 hours, where would you go and why?
"If I could travel somewhere for 24 hours, I would go to Montana. I love mountains and rivers and being in the middle of nowhere. The animals in the west are my favorite."
If you could give one message to the Auburn Family, what would it be?
"If I could give one message to the Auburn Family it would be thank you. I have never been a part of something this big, and I am so blessed for every moment I have and will spend here for the next four years."
What does "War Eagle" mean to you, and why?
"When someone says 'War Eagle' it's a greeting that means we are part of the same family. Coach Greg Williams has told us many stories of times he has been far away and been told 'War Eagle' by strangers because Auburn fans truly love Auburn and the Auburn Family."