On The Plains: Alexia Tordoff

Senior Alexia Tordoff started riding at just three years old, following in the footsteps of her older sister, Olivia Tordoff, who began lessons at six. She still fondly remembers her first horse, Irish.

“My parents bought me a horse,” Tordoff said. “It definitely wasn’t the right horse at that time. It was kind of dangerous. It was just funny because we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into.”

What began as something she did alongside her sister gradually turned into a true passion.

“I wasn’t as passionate about it as my sister was when we were younger,” Tordoff said. “I just did it every day and then probably around my 13-year-old year, I figured out that this was a passion for me.”

That passion led her to Auburn. Due to COVID restrictions during her recruiting process, Tordoff was unable to visit many schools in person. Her sister was already competing for Auburn at the time, which gave Tordoff a unique perspective. 

“I was able to travel to my sister’s meets a lot and got to see other schools,” Tordoff said. “I found out that Auburn was the right fit for me through meeting the coaches and other staff through online meetings.”

Her sister’s legacy and her family’s involvement in the program made committing to Auburn even more meaningful.

“It has definitely shown me what the Auburn Family is really like,” Tordoff said. “When you get to have your whole family involved within the school, within your organization and within your team, it makes a really big difference.”

Over the last four seasons, Tordoff has made a name for herself in Western competition, excelling in both Horsemanship and Reining, which is a unique and demanding double role.

“It requires me to have double the amount of practice and double the amount of load a normal student-athlete would have on the equestrian team,” Tordoff said. “I think it was challenging maybe my freshman year, but it is also such an incredible opportunity to be able to compete in both events that not many people get to do. I really do view it as a privilege.”

Her work has translated into an incredibly decorated career. Tordoff was named 2023 SEC Freshman Rider of the Year in both Horsemanship and Reining. She earned 2025 SEC Horsemanship Rider of the Year honors and was named a 2025 NCEA First Team All-American in Horsemanship.

“Every award I really appreciate, but some of those bigger ones are telling me something is paying off,” Tordoff said.

She credits her success to those around her.

“I truly think if I didn’t have the teammates I have now, I wouldn't be here, and I wouldn’t  love this team as much as I do,” Tordoff said. “I have incredible teammates. Everything I do for the team is for the 40 other girls that I work with every day.”

She also pointed to her strong relationship with head coach Jessica Braswell as a key factor in her success.

“She has been extremely supportive for the four years I’ve been on the team,” Tordoff said.

Some of her favorite memories include winning SEC championships during her freshman and sophomore seasons and advancing to the final round of the NCEA Championships her first year.

“We had such a great group of leaders on the team my freshman year,” she said. “Winning SECs that year was huge.”

After graduation, Tordoff plans to pursue a career in medical device sales and continue to show horses.

“My family owns a farm called Wild Oats Farm, so I’ll continue to show horses for my parents and do that as a side business,” Tordoff said. 

As her senior season starts to wind down, Tordoff knows what she’ll miss most about being on the team.

“The biggest thing I am going to miss the most is obviously being around my teammates and the structure that Auburn has given us,” Tordoff said. “I think I am going to miss the hard days and the long days because, in the end, I felt like those were really the ones that paid off. Those tough coaching moments and those breakthroughs are definitely something I am going to miss the most.”

Tordoff has advice for younger riders she’s learned throughout her years at Auburn. 

“Don’t feel awkward or intimidated to be the hardest worker in the room,” Tordoff said. “Never feel like you can’t go the extra mile. Whether it’s in the barn, academics or anything, make sure you are the most competitive person there and you’re willing to be the best."