AUBURN, Ala. – The No. 1 Auburn equestrian team returns to the Auburn University Equestrian Center Saturday, hosting Southeastern Conference rival and No. 2 Texas A&M at 11 a.m. CT.
“We are looking forward to a big match up with Texas A&M tomorrow,” head coach Jessica Braswell said. “We have been on the road the last couple of weeks and our team can’t wait to get back in front of their home fans. I can’t overemphasize what a difference the Auburn Family makes and the energy our athletes take from the fans.”
This will be Auburn’s (5-0, 1-0 SEC) sixth-straight contest against a top 10 opponent and fourth against a team inside the top five.
“This is going to be our toughest meet of the year so far,” Braswell said. “As we have talked about all season, we will have to execute at a high level and continue being consistent. We should have confidence from the way we have competed all fall and we need to use that for big rides on Saturday.”
SPECTATOR INFORMATION
It’s the team’s Military Appreciation meet and the Tigers will be honoring current and former members of our nation’s military throughout the meet. There will be a Color Guard for the National Anthem as well as representatives from Auburn’s ROTC.
In addition, there will be a raffle for all fans for a Yeti cooler. Military members will get extra entries into the giveaway.
As always, the Kid’s Zone will be open and will include pony rides and a bouncy house.
For more information on the Auburn University Equestrian Center, please visit HERE.
AUBURN LINEUP
The Auburn lineup will look a little different from the last few meets as the Tigers are set to give opportunities to a talented group of freshmen.
Four freshmen will go in Jumping Seat action, starting with Kate Hagerty and Eve Westfall in Fences. Freshmen Sadie Berkhout and Ariana Marnell will compete for the Tigers on the Flat.
Three freshmen will go in Western for the squad, starting with Reining regulars Michelle Fumagalli and Catie Reachard. Freshman Abby Eddy will pick up the her first of her career in Horsemanship this Saturday.
Leading the charge on the Jumping Seat side will be fifth year Ellie Ferrigno and seniors Mary-Grace Segars and Sophee Steckbeck. The trio will compete in both Fences and Flat for the Tigers with Ferrigno competing as the SEC Flat Rider of the Month in October.
Joining Eddy in Horsemanship will be a talented group of upperclassmen. Juniors Caroline Fredenburg and Alexia Tordoff and sophomores Brooke Jolstad and Sydney Swallom are set to ride for the squad with Tordoff coming into Saturday’s meet as the SEC Horsemanship Rider of the Month for October.
Reining will be led by fifth year Olivia Bradley and juniors Caroline Buchanan and Tordoff, joining Fumagalli and Reachard in the event. Bradley, Buchanan and Fumagalli all have a 4-1-0 record so far this season.
AUBURN – TEXAS A&M SERIES
Auburn leads the all-time series, 29-9, against the Aggies.
The two teams last met in the regular season in Auburn on March 9, 2024. The Tigers topped the Aggies, 13-5, at the Auburn University Equestrian Center.
Auburn and Texas A&M also faced off in the 2024 SEC Championship final in Bryan-College Station, Texas. Auburn won its sixth-straight conference title with a 13-6 victory.
UP NEXT
Auburn closes out the fall portion of the season on the road, traveling to Bishop, Georgia for a contest against SEC rival Georgia. The two teams will face off on November 22 at 1 p.m. CT.