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!
Today’s feature is Kate Parker!
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Laguna Beach, California
Discipline: Jumping Seat
Prior to Auburn: Finished third overall at the 2023 Jump Seat Medal Final-West … Fourth at the 2023 Region 8 Maclay Regionals … Tenth at R.W. Mutch Equitation Championship … Reserve Champion at the 2022 WCHR Challenge at Capital Challenge and 2022 Southwest Derby Championship … Finished third overall at the 2022 Junior Hunter Finals West.
Q: What made you want to go to Auburn?
A: “I fell in love with the school as well as the team atmosphere.”
Q: What is your major and what do you plan to do with it after you graduate?
A: “I’m pre-business and I want to become a sports agent.”
Q: What is your favorite Auburn tradition and why?
A: “Rolling Toomer’s Corner because I think that it is so unique and very cool.”
Q: What are you looking forward to in the spring part of the season and what was your favorite part so far now that the fall is done?
A: “I'm really looking forward to the SEC and NCEA Nation championship. My favorite part of the fall season was seeing how our hard work pays off into our meets and building connections with my teammates.”
Q: How long have you been riding horses and what was the name of your first horse?
A: “I have been riding for 14 years, and my first horse was named Hot Latte.”
Q: What has been your favorite riding memory throughout your entire time with the sport?
A: “My favorite riding memory was when me and my young horse Waffles were Grand Champion at West Coast Junior Hunter finals. This meant a lot to me because of how young my horse was and at this moment I saw that all our hard work together paid off.”
Q: How has your freshman experience been so far?
A: “I really have enjoyed my time at Auburn and with the team so far. It’s been a lot of hard work but it has also been so rewarding.”
Q: Where is your favorite place to be on campus or around Auburn and why?
A: “I love Samford Hall and walking around Toomer’s because I think that area of campus is so beautiful.”
Q: What is your favorite Auburn sport to go to and why?
A: “I really love the football games because it’s fun to see the whole Auburn community come together and I also love all of the game day traditions.”
Q: What are some hobbies that you like to do outside of riding?
A: “At home I live at the beach, so I like to go surfing with friends.”
Q: What is your favorite trip you have taken or your dream trip that you want to take?
A: “My Cabo trip over spring break my senior year of high school was my favorite trip I have ever taken.”
Q: What is your favorite home cooked mean and what makes it so special?
A: “My mom’s homemade Bolognese because it is very good and reminds me of home.”
Q: Do you have a pre-meet routine? If so, what is it?
A: “I like to listen to music before.”
Q: What has been the best concert you’ve ever attended?
A: “My favorite concert I have attended was the Los Angeles Rolling Loud Festival.”
Q: If you could have any actor portray you in a movie, who would it be and why?
A: “Even though we do not look very alike I think that I would want Leighton Meester to play me in a movie because I love her work, especially in Gossip Girl.”