Auburn's Maggie McAlary Awarded Most Outstanding Hunt Seat Rider at 2009 Varsity Equestrian National Championships - AuburnTigers.com

Auburn's Maggie McAlary Awarded Most Outstanding Hunt Seat Rider at 2009 Varsity Equestrian National Championships The award was presented by the United States Hunter Jumper Association.

April 30, 2009

AUBURN - Auburn equestrian freshman Maggie McAlary was presented the MVP trophy by the United States Hunter Jumper Association for being this year's most outstanding Hunt Seat rider at the 2009 Varsity Equestrian National Championships in Waco, Texas.

The Amherst, N.H., native was one of the most versatile riders for the Tigers this season, competing in both Hunt Seat Equitation over Fences and on the Flat. She earned MVP honors in Fences against Baylor and in Flat against Georgia while finishing the regular season undefeated (6-0) in Fences.

"It's quite an honor," said Auburn head coach Greg Williams. "Maggie had great stats going into Nationals. She performed wonderfully at Nationals, so she is very deserving of this award. What I love about Maggie is her desire to compete and make this team better."

In individual competition at Nationals, third-seed McAlary defeated sixth-seed Nicole Bourgeois of South Carolina 170-166 in the opening round, but was defeated by seventh-seed Kelley Cowperthwait of Georgia 154-0 (0 refers to a no score because of a penalty) in the semifinals of Hunt Seat Equitation over Fences.

In Hunt Seat competition at Nationals, McAlary scored the only point for Auburn in the championship round against Georgia, defeating Kacy Jenkins 174-152 in Hunt Seat Equitation over Fences while posting the highest score of the day.