Emma Thomas, 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!
Today’s feature is senior Grace Langley!
Hometown: Dawnsonville, Georgia
Discipline: Jumping Seat
Q: What made you want to go to Auburn?
A: “I wanted to go to a school out of state and Auburn was somewhat close to my family. I came and toured with my dad and fell in love with the town and campus, it automatically felt like home to me.”
Q: What is your major and what do you plan to do with it after you graduate?
A: “My major is business management with a focus on entrepreneurship. I plan on getting my MBA after I graduate, but career wise, my first step is going into the freight business and following in my father’s footsteps.”
Q: What is your favorite Auburn tradition and why?
A: “My favorite Auburn tradition has to be the eagle flight before every football game. It’s so unique to the school and I love the story behind it.”
Q: What are you looking forward to in the spring part of season and what has been your favorite part so far now that the fall is done?
A: “I am looking forward to continuing our path to the championship and being the best we can be inside and outside of the arena.”
Q: How long have you been riding horses and what was the name of your first horse?
A: “I have been riding horses for as long as I can remember. My mom tells me it was always in my blood, which I think a lot of the girls on the team can relate to. My mom always had pasture ornaments I could play with, but my first pony was named Gucci. He was the cutest, but like a lot of ponies, had a mean streak!”
Q: What has been your favorite riding memory throughout your entire time with the sport?
A: “My favorite and most valuable memory has to be working for the Stedding family during WEF 2024. I was fortunate enough to be able to take the Spring 2024 semester off and went down to Wellington to be a working student. The things I learned and the experience I got as one of a kind and grew my love for the industry even more. I will forever be thankful for that opportunity.”
Q: What is it like joining the team after your freshman year?
A: “Since I had already started my college experience, I wasn’t sure how joining the team would go. It has been 1000 times better than I thought, and my Auburn family has grown so much larger. I am so grateful to be surrounded by the women on the team and it is something that I didn’t know I was missing.”
Q: Where is your favorite place to be on campus or around Auburn and why?
A: “My favorite place on campus has to be Samford Lawn. I take a blanket, my computer, and my dog and sit out there for hours doing homework.”
Q: What is your favorite Auburn sport to go to and why?
A: “My favorite Auburn sport to go to is basketball. The energy inside the arena is unmatched and the games are always so much fun.”
Q: What are some hobbies that you like to do outside of riding?
A: “Outside of riding, I work two part-time jobs that take up a lot of my time. Other than that, I love to cook and bake. I am lucky that my family moved to Auburn, so I spend a lot of time with them.”
Q: What is your favorite trip you have taken or your dream trip that you want to take?
A: “A dream trip for me would be going with my family and spending a month jumping around different spots in Europe. I’ve never been on that side of the world!”
Q: What is your favorite home cooked meal and what makes it so special?
A: “My favorite home cooked meal is just spaghetti and marinara. Neither of my parents are great cooks; so, growing up, spaghetti was something that anyone could cook. It’s just nostalgic.”
Q: Do you have a pre-meet routine? If so, what is it?
A: “I don’t have a personal pre-meet routine. However, the pre-meet routine we do as a team is special and I think it gets everyone in the right headspace.”
Q: If you could have any actor portray you in a movie, who would it be any why?
A: “Jennifer Lawrence. We definitely don’t look alike, but I think she’d represent my personality the best. We have the same sense of humor.”