AUBURN, Ala. – We're at the midseason break and it's time to get to know Auburn equestrian's newcomers! Up first is freshman Sydney Swallom!
Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona
Discipline: Western
Prior to Auburn: 2023 AQHYA Horsemanship World Champion … 2023 NSBA Horsemanship Reserve World Champion … 2022 AQHYA Horsemanship World Champion … 2022 NSBA Horsemanship and Showmanship Reserve World Champion … Two-time champion in Horsemanship at All American Quarter Horse Congress … 2021 AQHYA Horsemanship Bronze World Champion … Level 2 Showmanship world champion in 2021 … 2018 NSBA Horsemanship and Western Pleasure Reserve World Champion.
Q: Why Auburn?
A: "I chose Auburn because I felt at home. I knew wherever I was going to school to ride, I would be far away from my home (Washington & Arizona) so I wanted to choose where I felt the most comfortable, and Auburn was that for me!"
Q: What is your major, and what do you hope to do with it after college?
A: I am a business administration major. With this degree, I plan to attend law school to become a personal injury attorney."
Q: What is your favorite Auburn tradition?
A: "Definitely rolling Toomer's Corner after any Auburn win, big or small!"
Q: What are you most excited about looking ahead to the spring season?
A: "I am so excited to experience what the SEC and national championships are like as a division 1 equestrian!"
Q: What are your goals for the rest of the season both individually and with the team?
A: "Individually, I have a goal of continuing to be consistent in the show pen to develop in this format because it's so different than showing in AQHA. As a team, I think we will continue to have the goal of being good teammates to one another and cheering each other on in and out of the arena."
Q: What is your favorite sport to watch at Auburn besides equestrian and why?
"Definitely basketball! My dad played college basketball, so I grew up being a big fan of the sport. I love how fast paced it is, which makes it so entertaining."
Q: Where is your favorite study spot on campus?
A: "My favorite study spot on campus is SADC! I haven't branched out much outside of studying there and my room, so SADC is my go-to."
Q: Coming from Arizona, what has been the biggest adjustment to living in the South?
A: "The biggest adjustment to living in the South is definitely being so far from my family. My parents and the rest of my extended family are all in Arizona and Washington, so it's a huge adjustment to be so far from them since I am so close to my parents and grandparents."
Q: What horse is your favorite to ride at Auburn?
A: "Rufus is my favorite horse to ride! He was one of our teammates show horses, so he still has all of those fun horsemanship buttons!"
Q: When did you start riding and what is your favorite memory from those first couple of years in the sport?
A: "I started riding competitively when I was eight years old. Prior to that I was a huge fan of pony camps and begging my grandma to let me ride her quarter horse. Eventually she let me show her mare and I was immediately hooked. My favorite memory from the beginning of my riding career was going to my first horse show and getting to experience the AQHA circuit."
Q: What fashion trend do you hope never makes a comeback?
"Leggings under denim shorts."
Q: If you were stranded on a deserted island, which teammate would you want with you and why?
"Brooke Jolstad because I think she's super resourceful. One time she jumped my car battery for me so I imagine she would be able to help me think of ways to survive."
