AUBURN, Ala. – The No. 1 Auburn equestrian team welcomes No. 9 South Carolina to the Plains for the team's official home opener of the 2018-19 season. The two squads will go head-to-head at 3 p.m. CT at the Auburn University Equestrian Center.
"I'm really excited to start conference play at home," head coach Greg Williams said. "The team is riding very well right now so we're expecting to see come exciting rounds."
PROMOTIONS
It's Paws & Claws Dog Day at the Auburn University Equestrian Center. Bring your dog and receive a special Paws & Claws item as well as doggy treats (while supplies last).
In addition, there will be a post-meet signing session with seniors Ashton Alexander, Caitlin Boyle, Lauren Diaz and Blair McFarlin.
As always, the Kid's Zone will be available as long as the weather cooperates. Available for young fans will be an inflatable bounce house and other fun yard games. Pony rides and 'Paint a Pony' will be out for kids as well.
AUBURN LINEUP
The Auburn competition lineup is senior heavy, boasting eight over the four events. The lineup also includes one junior, three sophomores and two freshmen.
Senior All-Americans Ashton Alexander, Caitlin Boyle and Hayley Iannotti highlight the Hunt Seat portion of the meet as the trio will compete in both Equitation Over Fences and Equitation on the Flat. Joining the crew is a pair of freshmen in Emma Kurtz and McKayla Langmeier. The start in both events is the first for Kurtz, while Langmeier enters the week with a 1-0 mark in both Flat and Fences.
Senior Alex Ladove is slated to ride exhibition in Fences, while junior Becky Kozma will ride exhibition in Flat. The pair will flip flop as alternates.
On the Western side of competition, a pair of seniors in Lauren Diaz and Kelsey Jung are set to lead the Horsemanship corps. Both picked up big wins at UT Martin last week. The two will be joined by junior Kara Kaufmann and sophomores Deanna Green and Taylor Searles. Green returns to the Plains as the SEC Freshman Horsemanship Rider of the Year, while Searles capped the 2017-18 with big wins in the postseason.
Senior Megan Rauh will ride in exhibition for the Tigers in the event, while freshman Ellie Becker is the alternate.
Seniors Betsy Brown, Ali Fratessa and Blair McFarlin highlight the Reining crew as all three picked up victories vs. the Skyhawks last week. McFarlin earned MOP honors after scoring a meet-best 73.5, while Brown returns for her final campaign as the SEC Reining Rider of the Year. Sophomore Terri-June Granger and Green are also slated to ride for the squad. Kaufmann will go as alternate.
AUBURN-SOUTH CAROLINA SERIES
Auburn holds the edge in the series history with a 21-18 mark vs. the Gamecocks.
The Tigers have won nine-straight meetings vs. the Gamecocks and are 9-6 at home in Auburn.
UP NEXT
After a week off, the No. 1 Tigers will host Ole Miss in an exhibition meet at the Auburn University Equestrian Center. Auburn and Ole Miss will go head-to-head at 3 p.m. CT on Oct. 12.
No. 1 Auburn Welcomes No. 9 South Carolina Friday
