Sept. 13, 2016
By: Margaret Hurt
AUBURN, Ala. - For Auburn equestrian's Ashley Foster, her love for horses is equal only to that of her love for plants. The senior on the national and SEC championship team spent part of her summer showing her horses and the other part in England, learning about horticulture.
From a young age Foster has loved the outdoors and growing up on a farm nurtured her love for learning about things like flowers and trees. When she got the opportunity to be part of a study abroad program for horticulture majors in England, it was the perfect opportunity to gain class credits in a new and exciting environment.
"I wanted to get ahead in credits because I started a semester late," Foster said. "I've also really wanted to study abroad, in England especially."
The program was located in Pershore, England, and gave the students involved the chance to learn not only about subjects like garden design and the growth and development of plants, but also about a different culture. Foster's day-to-day schedule at Auburn allows her to spend time outside as well as time in a classroom, but being in an unfamiliar setting offered learning experiences that cannot be found at home.
"I think I learned more in that packed five weeks than I've learned in a while," Foster said. "It wasn't as much of a class, but more the travel and horticulture by going to all the gardens. It so enjoyable because I got to see different things."
In addition to her studies abroad, Foster also competed her horses at Horseshows Under the Sun in Culpepper, Va., and in the Vermont Summer Festival, where she won grand adult champion in the adult amateur hunters class. When Foster returns to the arena to compete for the Tigers this fall, her passion for horticulture will be seen, or rather heard, in the form of an interesting nickname. The equestrian team refers to Foster as "plant girl," and can be heard yelling it whenever she enters the arena.
"Any cheering encourages me," Foster said. "I love it when people cheer for me because it gives me a want to win for them. I just find it funny and it does relax me because I start laughing before I go in the ring."
Whether it's collecting insect specimens for class or identifying ferns used for decoration at equestrian meets, Foster's love for horticulture spreads throughout all parts of her life. Her athletic talent and academic passion have opened doors that have led to new friendships and learning experiences, things that will remain with her in her future away from Auburn.