AUBURN, Ala. – The 2023 postseason is just around the corner and Auburn equestrian would like to take this time to catch up with its 2023 senior class!
Our final feature is Olivia Tordoff! Olivia made an immediate impact on the Western squad the moment she came on campus. A three-time First Team All-American in Horsemanship, Olivia is among the top 10 in program history in career wins and is first in the program in career MOPs with 16. Her career high 80 ranks second in program history. The 2020 SEC Freshman of the Year, she has multiple All-SEC accolades as well.
Academically, Olivia is a NCEA First Team All-Academic honoree as well as a three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll winner. She recently graduated with a degree in neuroscience.
Q: How is this season different knowing it's your last year on the Plains?
A: "It is so hard to comprehend the fact that this is the final semester of my senior year. I truly do not know where the time went. It feels like just yesterday I was moving into South Donahue and using Google Maps to find my classroom in the Haley Center. I feel like the biggest difference is just in the fact that I know my time with my friends is limited. Which can be an extremely hard pill to swallow at times. I just want to focus on making the most of these last few months here with them. I cannot think of a better way to end it all than with winning some rings."
Q: How has your experience prepared you for life beyond college?
A: Auburn equestrian has given me so much more than just an education, a family, and incredible success. This team has prepared me to lead a group of people towards a common goal. I have had the opportunity to learn from some of the greatest female leaders in so many different industries and I look forward to applying the many skills they have taught me to my own career!"
Q: What would you like to say to the fans and the rest of the Auburn Family?
A: "There is so much I would like to say to our fans and the Auburn Family. I think the most important thing I can say is, thank you. Thank you for giving me a home away from home. Thank you for giving me a community that I am proud to serve. Thank you for giving me the support I needed to chase my dreams, and most importantly thank you for believing in this team. We wear the Auburn logo on our backs during every meet as a badge of honor, and nothing would make us prouder than to bring back another SEC and National Championship to Auburn."
Q: Looking back on all the big moments you've been a part of what is one that stands out the most?
A: "I think one of the biggest moments in my time here at Auburn that truly stands out was winning the 2022 SEC Championship in Auburn. We hosted last year and seeing all our extra hard work with preparing our facility pay off was so rewarding. I will never forget standing on the stage as the confetti cannons went off. It was a moment of pure happiness. I could not have been prouder of my teammates."
Q: What is your major and what is the next step for you after Auburn?
A: "I graduated last summer with a degree in neuroscience. I am planning to take some time to work and acquire patient care experience before applying to physician's assistant school in the next few years! I am extremely passionate about helping people and serving my community, so any way I can do that is of interest to me! I am also planning to reintroduce myself to leadership positions within the American Quarter Horse Association and the Ohio Quarter Horse Association."
Q: What is your favorite Auburn tradition and why?
A: "My favorite Auburn tradition is rolling Toomer's Corner. It is always fun to do after a football win, but nothing compares to doing it after winning another ring for the equestrian program."
Q: Who is/was your favorite horse at Auburn and why?
A: "I have so many favorite horses at Auburn. The most special to me would have to be Hannah. I have had some of my most memorable and successful rides on her. When I go back and watch videos there are times that I think they might have been some of my best patterns of all time. She is so dynamic and talented yet patient and sweet. I hit a low point in my season last year where I began to doubt myself and I wholeheartedly believe that showing her pulled me out of that mindset. She reminds me why I do this. She is truly a show horse who loves her job.
"I also have to give a special shoutout to Buddy. He never fails to make me laugh and he has been a part of my life for a very long time (pre-Auburn). I am so happy to see him enjoying his life here!"
Q: Best Greg Williams quote?
"My favorite Greg Williams quote will always be 'you have to be willing to plant a seed for a tree you will never shade under.' To me this quote embodies what it means to be an Auburn man or woman. It means the hard work and sacrifices you make are done to blaze a trail for the next generation. Being a member of this team requires each and every person to put the needs of every one of their teammates in front of themselves, but also leave Auburn better than you found it. Every time I step in the arena, I am thinking about doing the best I can to win a point, not for myself, but for those 30+ other girls I have cheering me on, for the girls who came before me, and for the next generation of girls who are dreaming of being a part of something so much bigger than themselves. I also have to give an honorable mention to Coach's other famous quote where he referred to us as 'the weekend.'"