AUBURN, Ala. – The No. 1 Auburn equestrian team returns to the Auburn University Equestrian Center for a big Southeastern Conference contest, hosting rival and No. 3 Georgia. The Tigers (4-0, 4-0 SEC) and the Bulldogs (3-2, 2-2 SEC) will face off at 11 a.m. CT Saturday, Feb. 27.
"This is a big meet for us and we love this rivalry," head coach Greg Williams said. "We have the most national championships won between us and Georgia so there is a lot of history there. Both teams are really good and are operating at a high level so it's going to be a great meet for our fans Saturday."
SPECTATOR INFORMATION
Capacity at the Auburn University Equestrian Center will be reduced to an Auburn and visiting team pass list, a limited number of Auburn students and a limited number of general public seats. Admission is free.
Fans are asked to review the guidelines regarding gameday at the Auburn University Equestrian Center. Face coverings will be required for all spectators and gameday workers. Fans will be asked to stay in specifically marked locations and practice on-way traffic flow designated by signage. Fans are also asked to socially distance themselves from other members of the public in all locations.
Auburn Athletics remains focused on providing a healthy and safe environment for all patrons. Information related to attendance and health and safety protocols will be handled on a game-by-game basis and updates will be provided when available.
For more on meet day information, please click HERE.
SENIOR DAY CELEBRATION
The Tigers will honor three student-athletes at the end of the meet Saturday. Auburn will recognize Deanna Green, Ericka Koscinski and Taylor St. Jacques as the three are graduating at the end of the school year.
Green will finish her career as one of the best to compete in the Western arena, having earned All-America honors in both Horsemanship and Reining. She's the defending NCEA and SEC Horsemanship Rider of the Year and is an All-SEC competitor in both Western events. She'll conclude her time with the program as one of the winningest riders in both events.
Koscinski has provided support both competitively and behind the scenes throughout her time on the Plains. She's contributed to the team's unbeaten streak by picking up wins in Fences and has also been an SEC Academic Honor Roll honoree each year.
St. Jacques has had an outstanding career in Jumping Seat, being an All-American in both Flat and Fences for the Tigers. She is back-to-back NCEA and SEC Flat Rider of the Year winner and is an All-SEC performer in both events. She'll finish her time on the Plains as one of the winningest riders in the history of the program.
AUBURN LINEUP
Once again, the Tigers have a similar lineup this week as they have had all season.
Leading the way in Jumping Seat will be four All-Americans in senior Taylor St. Jacques, juniors Emma Kurtz and McKayla Langmeier and sophomore Ava Stearns. St. Jacques is perfect 8-0-0 on the year with a 4-0-0 mark in both Flat and Fences.
Both Kurtz and Langmeier are 3-1-0 in Fences, while Langmeier is also 3-1-0 in Flat for the squad. Stearns is 3-2-0 overall with a 2-1-0 mark in Fences.
Junior Meghan Knapic is set to compete in Fences for the Tigers, having a 3-1-0 record this season. Earning the first start of her career will be freshman Ellie Ferrigno. The Newtown, Conn., product will compete in Flat for the Tigers against Georgia.
Senior All-Americans Deanna Green and Taylor Searles will compete in both Horsemanship and Reining in the Western arena. The pair each have three wins in Horsemanship, while Searles has a three in Reining.
Sophomore All-American Olivia Tordoff will compete in Horsemanship, having a team-best 4-0-0 record in the event. Classmate Maddie Spak is set to ride as well and freshman Madison Parduhn will earn her second-straight start.
Joining her classmates in Reining will be All-American Terri-June Granger. The Dothan, Ala., product has a pair of victories on the year. Sophomore Boo Kammerer leads the team with a 3-0-1 record in the event and freshman Isabella Tesmer will bring her undefeated mark (2-0-0) to the meet vs. the Bulldogs in the event.
AUBURN-GEORGIA SERIES
Georgia leads the series, 30-19, with an 11-8 record in Auburn.
Auburn is on a seven-meet win streak that includes victories over Georgia in the 2018 and 2019 national championship matches.
The two teams last met in the fall with Auburn coming away with a 10-8 edge on the road, Oct. 23.
UP NEXT
Auburn will host a pair of Jumping Seat only meets next Saturday, March 6. The Tigers will welcome Lynchburg and Sweet Briar to the Auburn University Equestrian Center with the first of the tri-meet starting a 9 a.m. CT.