Madison Murray, Auburn Athletics Communications Intern
AUBURN, Ala. - The top-ranked Auburn equestrian team has welcomed 22 new faces to the squad in 2024-25 and it’s time to get to know them!
Now we have Kate Hagerty!
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Terrebonne, Oregon
Discipline: Jumping Seat
Prior to Auburn: 2024 winner of WIHS jumper phase at Devon … Eighth place hunter spectacular at Great Lakes equestrian festival … Finished seventh at the 2024 East Coast Gladstone Cup … Reserve champion in older small juniors at the 2024 East Coast Junior Hunter Finals … Took Multiple Top 10 finishes at USET Finals East – seventh in 2022 and 10th in 2023 … Finished third at the 2023 USEF Medal Finals … Top 20 at the 2023 North American Equitation Cup … Finished sixth in the junior division at the 2023 Young Riders … Reserve champion in Large Younger 3'6 at 2022 Junior Hunter Finals.
Q: Why Auburn?
A: “I chose Auburn because of the atmosphere on campus and the team's work ethic and I want to win championships”
Q: What is your major, and what are your plans to do with it after college?
A: “I'm a business major and I plan to go into the horse industry as a professional with that after college.”
Q: You’ve accomplished a lot before Auburn, what would be the accomplishment you are most proud of?
A: “My biggest accomplishment is probably being able to make a name for myself after moving back east to show and having success there which helped me be able to have a spot on this team.”
Q: How are you balancing your first year being a collegiate athlete?
A: “Balancing my first year has been manageable, especially with the all-around support we are provided”
Q: What are you most looking forward to heading into your spring season?
A: “I'm looking forward to the whole spring season and helping the team stay ranked No. 1.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Auburn?
A: “Amsterdam Café”
Q: When and why did you start riding horses?
A: “I started riding probably around 15 years ago and I had always grown up with them in my life.”
Q: Coming all the way from Oregon, how have you adjusted to life in the South?
A: “My adjustment to being in the South has been good and I really enjoy going to school here.”
Q: How did you handle being a three-sport athlete in high school all on top of riding competitively?
A: “I was mainly just able to be in an online program that helped balance sports my first few years in high school and then later allowed me to focus on my riding and scheduling with that after moving back east.”
Q: What do you hope to accomplish while on the team?
A: “I want to help the team win championships and to earn SEC Rider of the Year at some point would be really cool.”
Q: What would you tell your younger self?
A: “I would tell my younger self to just trust the process and to work hard.”