AUBURN, Ala. – The No. 6 Auburn equestrian team will host College of Charleston and No. 2 Texas A&M this Friday and Saturday to close out the 2023-24 regular season at the Auburn University Equestrian Center.
The Tigers will take on College of Charleston at 11 a.m. CT on Friday, March 8 in a jumping seat-only contest. Auburn and the Aggies will face off at 4 p.m. CT Saturday, March 9, in a full meet.
"We've had a great week of preparation leading up to these two meets," head coach Jessica Braswell said. "We're excited to close out the regular season in front of our home crowd. I expect us to ride with confidence and consistency these next two days."
Auburn will honor its 12 seniors prior to the Texas A&M meet on Saturday. Tigers competing and participating in their final home meet will be Libby Bertelsen, Samantha Briggs, Kate Buchanan, Helen Lohr, Olivia Marino, Madison Parduhn, Grace Pearson, Hallie Rush, Ava Stearns, Gracie Sullivan and Isabella Tesmer.
"This senior class has made such tremendous contributions to the program both in and out of the arena," Braswell said. "They've won numerous SEC championships and have represented Auburn equestrian in a way that makes the Auburn Family proud. I'm excited to see how they close out their careers."
SPECTATOR INFORMATION
With the weather playing a major factor this weekend, we've adjusted not only the start times, but also our fan experience opportunities.
On Friday, the Kid's Zone will be up for fans in attendance. That includes a bounce house and pony rides.
Saturday will not have Kid's Zone, but Auburn equestrian will be handing out senior posters to fans while supplies last and the first 100 fans on site will receive a free Chick-fil-a sandwich.
For more information on the Auburn University Equestrian Center, please visit HERE.
AUBURN LINEUP
The Tigers (6-5, 2-3 SEC) will take on College of Charleston Friday morning in a jumping seat-only contest, starting with Flat and then Fences.
Riding for Auburn against the Cougars in Flat will be a pair of juniors and a pair of freshmen. All-Americans Mary-Grace Segars and Sophee Steckbeck are set to ride along with freshmen Sofia Cady and Avery Glynn. The start is the first for Cady this season.
Fences will feature Segars and Glynn as well as senior Grace Pearson and freshman Molly Segars. The start is the first for the younger Segar sister.
Auburn will feature a full lineup against Texas A&M Saturday afternoon.
Jumping Seat will showcase the same five riders in Flat and Fences. Fifth year Ava Stearns with senior Ellie Ferrigno are set to lead the charge, while Steckbeck, Segars and Glynn will join them in both events.
Stearns has a team-best 7-2-0 record in Flat and Steckbeck is undefeated in Fences at 11-0-0. Ferrigno is second on the team with eight wins in Fences.
On the Western side, Reining will go first Saturday and will be highlighted by a wealth of experience.
Seniors Kate Buchanan, Olivia Marino and Isabella Tesmer are set to lead the group with sophomores Caroline Buchanan and Alexia Tordoff joining. Tesmer has a 10-1-0 record in the event with three MOPs.
In Horsemanship, the Tigers are led by Tordoff and classmate Caroline Fredenburg as the pair each have eight wins on the year. Fredenburg was recently named SEC Horsemanship Rider of the Month for her efforts in February.
Joining the duo will be senior Madison Parduhn and freshmen Alexis Potts and Sydney Swallom. Potts has six wins in her first season on the Plains.
UP NEXT
Auburn will kick off the postseason at the 2024 SEC Championship in Bryan-College Station, Texas, March 29-30.