July 3, 2017
By: Margaret Hurt
2013 SEC Freshman Horsemanship Rider of the Year, 2016 NCEA First Team All-America (Horsemanship), 2016 Co-Horsemanship Rider of the Year; these are just a few of the accomplishments former Auburn equestrian Griffin Knight has to her name. The 2016 graduate left Auburn not only an SEC and two-time national champion, but also the record holder for most meets competed in Horsemanship (65), most single-season wins in Horsemanship (14), and most career wins in Horsemanship (37).
Through her sophomore, junior and senior years, Knight also competed successfully in Reining, often starting in both western events. She earned an NCEA honorable mention in Reining in 2014.
Knight also earned many academic honors as a political science major with a business minor. A driven and successful student-athlete, Knight was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll all four of her years at Auburn as well as the NCEA Academic Roll three consecutive years, along with other scholastic honors.
Currently, Knight lives in her home state of Texas and will be attending law school in the fall. Knight continues to be a source of support for her teammates even as an alumna and remains close to many current and former members of the team.
Q: What was it about Auburn that made you want to move from TX to AL for four years?
A: Everything. Auburn is a very special place.
Q: Were you nervous about anything in particular when you started your freshman year?
A: Not really. There wasn't time to be nervous. If anything, I would say that I was nervous during the transition period as I was leaving Texas and moving. However, as soon as I pulled onto campus at Auburn I felt like I was home.
Q: Was earning the SEC Freshman Horsemanship Rider of the Year a goal of yours during the start of your first year?
A: Not at all. My goals for myself on the team had a day-to-day approach. I was focused on doing the job I was brought there to do and being the best student and teammate possible.
Q: Was the transition to practicing and competing on different horses difficult or did you adjust easily?
A: It was definitely an adjustmentÃÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬¦I don't think anyone would call the transition easy. However, the Auburn program maintains a great group of girls and staff that help you to adapt to the format quickly.
Q: You made several honor rolls consecutively during your time at Auburn, what kept you motivated to study and work hard while having multiple responsibilities as an athlete?
A: My motivation came from my passion for school and learning. However, whenever school and sports clashed, all of the aids that Auburn Athletics offers helped me to maintain my competitive edge in both sports and academics.
Q: How did you handle the pressure of being a starter and oftentimes being left with the ride that would determine if Auburn won or lost?
A: I loved riding and competingÃÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬¦I never felt pressure. There are 20 points in a meet and they all hold the same weight. The rides at the beginning of the meet are just as important as the ones at the end of the meet. I always felt support from all of my teammates every time I walked in and out of the arena.
Q: What is your favorite memory from competition?
A: There are so many. But I would have to say my favorite memory from competing had to be at the 2016 National Championship. We were in the finals and I was sitting on my horse waiting to compete for my last time ever as a college athlete. As a team, we had talked all year about getting to this point. When you're in the moment it is hard to step outside of it and appreciate what is happeningÃÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬¦I took a second to soak it all in.
Q: Was there anyone you looked up to on the team or saw as a role model?
A: This might sound cheesy, but I honestly found a role model in everyone. I got to spend every day with 39 incredible girls. They taught me so much and made me want to be a better person.
Q: What do you think sets AUET apart from other teams?
A: Head Coach Greg Williams does an outstanding job. I think a lot of what makes AUET so incredible is because of his work and passion for the program.
Q: Coming into your senior year, what did you want the team to accomplish and what did you want to embody personally as a team senior/leader?
A: My senior year team was a special group, so we definitely had high expectations. We knew we had a good shot and wanted two rings, so that's what we set out to do.
Personally, as a senior, I wanted to just be the best teammate and leader possible alongside my fellow 10 senior teammates.
Q: What do you think is the most important thing being on the team taught you?
A: I learned how to be selfless, which I think is a big part of transitioning into being an adult. I put 39 other girls before myself every day and I was happy to do it.
Q: What are you currently looking to achieve in your career?
A: Following law school, I plan to stay in Texas to pursue a career in law.