Auburn Equestrian to Host South Carolina - AuburnTigers.com - Auburn University Official Athletic Site

Auburn Equestrian to Host South Carolina South Carolina meet

Senior Kristin Hansen

Oct. 5, 2011

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AUBURN - The Auburn equestrian team will open up SEC competition this Saturday as it plays host to South Carolina at the Auburn University Horse Center.

In Horsemanship, competing will be Katie Buff, Danielle Long, Kristin Hansen, Indy Roper and Stephanie Rucci. The alternate will be Chelsea Zillner.

Competing in Reining will be Cheyenne Cracraft, Jillian Fuller, Kristin Hansen, Indy Roper and Stephanie Rucci with Julianna Cook as the alternate.

In Equitation on the Flat, competing are Anna Becker, Christina Lin, Maggie McAlary, Lindsay Portela and Grace Socha while Rachel Cooper will be the alternate.

Quincy Hayes, Christina Lin, Maggie McAlary, Grace Socha and Jennifer Waxman will all compete in Equitation Over Fences. The alternate is Melena Smith.

Last season, the two teams met twice during the regular season, both ending in dramatic fashion. The first meeting saw a 10-10 finish in which the tie breaker was awarded to the Tigers. The second meeting was more of the same as the Tigers barely came away with a 10-9 win.

"Finally the big clashing begins," Head Coach Greg Williams said. "I don't think there is a single sport in this conference, no matter how tough their out of conference schedule may be, that doesn't feel an elevated passion to win, as when facing an SEC opponent."

Last week, Auburn (2-0) came away with a convincing 14-6 win over TCU while South Carolina (2-0) is coming off of two great showings in defeating Fresno State in its home opener, 16-3, and also in downing TCU, 14-6.

"We practiced better on Monday than we did last week so hopefully that will continue until Saturday," Williams said. "South Carolina comes here after some really impressive rides and scores on the Hunt Seat side against TCU, so it looks like another traditional ride-off here."

Promotion: There will be a Tailgate Challenge. Each tailgate will be judged on several categories, such as, quality of food, tailgate name, size, atmosphere and support of Auburn Equestrian.

• The winning non-campus organization tailgate will receive an Auburn tailgate tent and two tailgate chairs.

• The winning campus organization tailgate will receive 75 spirit points and a Coach Chizik autographed AU Family "All In" Sign. The second place campus organization tailgate will receive 50 spirit points and third place, 25 points.

All tailgates must be set up by 9:30 a.m. (CT).

The meet will take place at 10 a.m. (CT) and admission is free.

Check auburntigers.com for a complete recap of the meet.