AUBURN, Ala. – The No. 1 Auburn equestrian team returns to competition this weekend, traveling to California for a pair of road meets. The Tigers will compete at UC Davis Friday, Jan. 31, at 12 p.m. CT. The squad follows with a 1 p.m. CT contest at No. 4 Fresno State Saturday, Feb. 1.
"It's going to be a lot of fun this weekend," head coach Greg Williams said. "We're excited to go to UC Davis for the first time. It's going to provide a new set of challenges as they are new to the NCEA and we haven't seen their horses yet.
"I'm also really looking forward to Saturday's match up," Williams added. "Fresno State has been riding extremely well at home and they will be fully ready for this meet. We need to keep the same, steady mindset that coaches Jessica Braswell and Mary Meneely have continually taught this team. We are a very capable team and I think we'll come away with some big rides this weekend."
AUBURN LINEUP
Auburn's lineups feature a wealth of experience as both upperclassmen and freshmen closed out the fall with a lot of success.
Sophomore McKayla Langmeier and junior Taylor St. Jacques will compete in Flat and Fences both days for the Tigers, while sophomore Emma Kurtz and freshman Ava Stearns are slated to compete in three of four events. Kurtz will ride in Flat and Stearns will go in Fences vs. UC Davis. The pair will also compete in both events at Fresno State.
Freshman Paige Matthies is down for Flat on both days and sophomore Meghan Knapic is set compete in Fences against both teams. Senior Anna Claire Smith earned a spot in the Flat lineup and junior Ericka Koscinksi will go in Fences at UC Davis.
Auburn's Horsemanship lineup will remain the same both days. Senior Kara Kaufmann with juniors Deanna Green and Taylor Searles lead the way, while freshmen Olivia Tordoff and Maddie Spak are also set to compete following successful fall campaigns.
The Tiger Reining corps is led by Green and fellow junior Terri-June Granger as the pair will ride both days. Freshmen Boo Kammerer and Jen Kasper are also down for both meets. Sophomore Peyton Hall is set to compete at UC Davis, while freshman Kayla Shelnutt will represent Auburn against Fresno State.
AUBURN IN THE RANKINGS
Following a successful fall season, the Tigers continue to be No. 1 in the overall team rankings after finishing with a 7-0 record and a 3-0 mark in Southeastern Conference action. Among the team's wins were a 12-8 victory over then-No. 3 Oklahoma State (9/20), an 11-9 edge at then-No. 4 Texas A&M (11/9) and a 16-4 win over then-No. 2 Georgia to close out the fall (11/9).
In Jumping Seat competition, Auburn is ranked first in both Flat and Fences. In Fences, the squad finished the fall with a 35-8 record, including three sweeps. Among those was the group's 5-0 win over Georgia to close out November. The Flat corps concluded the first half of the year with a 29-12-2 mark.
The Western crew is also ranked first in both Horsemanship and Reining. Horsemanship has a 23-11-1 record over the fall, picking up a trio of 4-1 victories over top opponents so far this season. The Auburn Reining group has also had a very successful fall, going 23-10-2 with a pair of sweeps.
UP NEXT
The Tigers continue their road swing, traveling to rival Georgia next weekend. The No. 1 Tigers and No. 3 Bulldogs will face off in Bishop, Ga., Feb. 8, at 12 p.m. CT.