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Dec. 1, 2010

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Katie Buff

Bailey Bussey

Caroline Gillen

Juliana Cook

Lucy Igoe

Katsy Leeman

Danielle Long

The No. 2 Auburn Equestrian team signed seven riders during the fall signing period, head coach Greg Williams announced Wednesday. The team will add six western riders and one hunt seat rider to its lineup for the 2011-12 season. Katie Buff, Bailey Bussey, Julianna Cook, Lucy Igoe, Katsy Leeman and Danielle long will join the western squad, and Caroline Gillen will join Auburn's hunt seat riders.

Buff, a Morgantown, N.C., native, has been competing in APHA events for 10 years, earning world championships and reserve world championships in equitation and hunter under saddle at the APHA World Show. She has also had multiple top ten finishes in horsemanship, showmanship and western pleasure.

"Katie's presence on a horse is fun to watch," said Williams. "She has experience on horses with varying degrees of training, so she is well prepared for college horses and riding."

Bussey joins Auburn's western riders with extensive horse experience. She has shown cutting horses for 10 years with numerous top 15 finishes at Eastern and Western Nationals. She was also voted a NYCHA national officer.

"Bailey comes from a huge family of horsemen and has had tremendous success in the cutting horse industry," Williams said. "We feel her talent with horses will convert nicely for college riding."

Cook joins the Tigers with experience riding in quarter horse and appaloosa competitions across the country. From Watkinsville, Ga., Cook has earned multiple top finishes in horsemanship and reining at competitions across the Southeast.

"Julianna rides both horsemanship and reining so she will be working out in both." Williams said. "We have known Juliana well over the years, so we are really excited to have her."

Gillen, a Memphis, Tenn., native, has competed nationwide at the highest level, qualifying for and competing in the USEF Medal, ASPCA Medal Maclay, Zone 7 finals and Devon. She has numerous top finishes in the junior jumpers, equitation, junior hunters and derbies.

"Caroline has competed well in steep competition, but what we liked best is her catch riding ability, which is the talent best suited for college riding," Williams said.

Igoe comes to Auburn with an impressive competition record in AQHA events. From Powell, Ohio, Igoe has multiple top ten finishes and championships in horsemanship, showmanship, trail, equitation and western riding at the All American Quarter Horse Congress and the AQHA Youth World Show.

"We have watched Lucy progress and succeed for a while now," Williams said. "I think I have been almost counting down days from her junior year to the point of signing."

Leeman, a Massillon, Ohio native, has been competing in AQHA events for 11 years and has numerous circuit championships, World Show placings and top 10 and finalist finishes, along with a Congress championship.

"Katsy is another that comes from a family steeped in the horse business," Williams said. "She is a great rider with success competing at the highest level. I think she will make a mark in college riding early."

Long joins Auburn with extensive accomplishments. From Anchorage, Long has been riding competitively since she was 12. She has earned Congress Championships and numerous top finishes at the World Show, including the 2009 Horsemanship Youth World Championship.

"Danielle's success in the Horsemanship arena leads us to believe she will be an impact player immediately," Williams said. "Being the world champion in horsemanship is huge as an individual accomplishment, but we fell in love with her attitude, love of Auburn and desire to be on a team."

Auburn (7-2) will return to action Jan. 28 with a meet against UT-Martin in Martin, Tenn.

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