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Oct. 12, 2011

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by: Michael Stagno, Auburn media relations

What was the transition like from Anchorage, Alaska to Auburn, Alabama?

"Everything is different here, but I love it so far. The culture is different and there is so much history."

What do you look forward to the most in getting home to Anchorage?

"I'm really looking forward to seeing my cat, Muffin. My mom visits me a lot and while I haven't seen the rest of my family they still have been in and out of Auburn to see me. I love my mom, she's my best friend. She told me to not be surprised if she is here every weekend."

What would you say is the biggest difference between Anchorage and Auburn?

"The weather, it barely snows here and obviously that's not the case in Alaska. It's really humid here and up there it's really dry. Down here you can get away with wearing a sweater when it's 40 degrees outside and you'll be fine. The only way they will stop school in Alaska is if the buses can't move."

What are the last three downloads to your music library?

"I got `Good Feeling' by Flo Rida, `Nothing' by The Script and `I Like It Like That' by Hot Chili Ray."

Growing up, what were some of your most-favorite activities?

"I love drawing. My mom says that I walked at eight-months-old, ran at a year old and could draw before I could talk."

What professional athlete do you admire the most?

"I really like professional skier Lindsey Vonn. I followed her all of last season. I think she is a really good role model and a great athlete."

How did it feel to win the 2009 Horsemanship Youth World Championship?

"It was a really big surprise. I was not expecting to win at all. My goal was just to make it to the top 15 and when I got there I figured, what the heck, I might as well go for it all."

When did you know equestrian was the sport for you?

"Equestrian in Alaska is not as competitive as it is in other places. It's more along the lines of showing up and doing it for fun. Though there was this girl who was down in the Lower 48 and she came to one of the shows I was at when I was 12-years-old and I remember looking up at her and thinking that is what I want to do."

What other sports do you enjoy?

"I love downhill skiing. I used to do it a lot, but I stopped around age 12 when I decided to take up equestrian."

What is your favorite movie or "chick flick"?

"I would have to say, Zoolander. I love comedies and that is definitely one of my favorites. I don't watch chick flicks, they're too weirdly dramatic and I don't understand them."

What is something in your life that you feel you absolutely could not live without?

"My mother, she is my best friend. She has done so much for me and I couldn't even imagine doing all of this without her."

What is your dream job?

"I would like to be an Imagineer or an animator for Disney. I have always loved Disney and I love animated films. My sister always tells me that I act like a Disney character because I'm so odd."

If you weren't doing equestrian, what would you be doing?

"I'd probably be drawing and skiing. I still draw and do equestrian, but I've always told myself that if I wasn't doing equestrian then I'd be skiing."

What does it mean to you to already be contributing for Auburn equestrian as a freshman?

"I take it as a huge compliment. It means so much to me. Coming in, there are so many girls on the team and to be chosen is special and I hope that I continue to be what the coaches are looking for."

Equestrian is traditionally an individual sport. How have you adapted to both the team and Head Coach Greg Williams and his staff?

"I love it. The whole reason why I came here was because of the team. We all get along so well. Coach Williams stresses that we are all one, big family and that we are only as strong as our weakest link. Now that I am here, I see no difference between the Western and Hunt Seat squads. This school, the atmosphere, my team, it all fits."

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