AUBURN, Ala. – We're less than two weeks away from the start of the spring season and we're getting to know our newcomers! Up first this week is Reilly Gogul.
Hometown: Covington, Kentucky
Discipline: Jumping Seat
Prior to Auburn: 2018 Reserve Champion at USEF Pony Medal Final … 2022 USHJA Zone 5 Horsemanship Champion … 2020 Capital Challenge Reserve Champion in 13-14 Year Old Equitation … Finished fourth in 15 Year Old Equitation at 2021 Pennsylvania National Horse Show … Top 20 at 2022 Gladstone Equitation Cup … Took sixth at 2022 NHS/ASPCA Regional 4 Championship.
Q: Why Auburn?
A: "When I got on campus for the first time, it just felt like the right place, and that feeling carried through when I met the team for the first time."
Q: What is your major, and what do you hope to do with it after college?
A: "I am a pre-journalism major, and my long-term goal is to become a press officer for a Formula One team after college. Short-term goals would be to work anywhere in the sports journalism industry in the U.S. or Europe, and gain experience in the field in order to reach my long-term goals. I got into motorsports last summer and my love for it has only grown."
Q: What is your favorite Auburn tradition?
A: "I'd have to say the eagle flight on game day. It's really fun to see the whole Auburn community come together for one big 'War Eagle' before kickoff, and the eagle flight is something really cool that is completely unique to Auburn."
Q: What are you most excited about looking ahead to the spring season?
A: "Probably experiencing SECs and nationals. I'm excited to see the result of the team's hard work throughout the year, and to continue learning and having new experiences with such an amazing team."
Q: How are you managing being on the team and your class load?
A: "Managing class and the team really hasn't been a problem for me. I have some classes that are more work and some that are less work, so they all balance out nicely in that way. I'm able to get a lot of my work done in study hall at the SADC, and there's always time outside team activities to get work done too. There is also so much support offered for student-athletes that I know if I ever needed help, I would be able to get it."
Q: What is your favorite thing to do in Auburn?
A: "Hang out with friends and teammates on campus or at Wellness Kitchen."
Q: Favorite memory with the team so far?
A: "Probably our breakdown at the first meet of the season. It was a home meet, and we were all so excited and anxious to get going, and the energy was so high. It was an incredible feeling to come together with all the girls and show everyone what we are here to do."
Q: When and why did you start riding horses?
A: "I grew up riding horses. Both my parents were professionals and had a business together, so I was at the barn pretty much every day when I was a kid. I tried some other sports like soccer and tennis, but in the end, nothing compared to riding."
Q: What are your goals for the rest of the season both individually and with the team?
A: "Now that I'm more settled into the routine after fall semester, I want to remind myself to have fun and enjoy my time with the team."
Q: What was the name of your first pony and what is your favorite memory from that time?
A: "My first pony was named Glitter. I don't think I could pick just one favorite memory, but I always loved riding around on the big grass field with my friends. It was a great way to let out energy and let go of any emotion younger me would have been feeling. Then when I was a little older, it was really special to see my younger cousin and other students learn how to ride on Glitter and see her teach them everything she taught me."
Q: What is your dream vacation and why?
A: "My dream vacation would have to be traveling all over Europe for the summer. I think it would be amazing to experience new cultures and places, and I definitely have some bucket list locations and experiences that I'd love to see and do."
Q: What is the biggest lesson you've learned so far from being on the team?
A: "I've learned a lot about what it means to be a teammate. Our sport is almost entirely individual in the professional industry, so this was my first experience ever being on an equestrian team, and it taught me a lot about small sacrifices and how I can lift people up."