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Dec. 9, 2009

AUBURN - Taylor Cechini from Flemington, N.J., Piper Donnelly from Terrace Park, Ohio, Christina Lin from Lewisburg, Pa., Stephanie Rucci from Alpharetta, Ga., Addison Snively from Winter Haven, Fla., and Chelsea Zillner from Lenexa, Kan., have signed national letters of intent to attend Auburn University and participate in equestrian for the 2010-11 season, announced head coach Greg Williams.

"We are thrilled to have these riders in the early signing period," said Williams. "They will be able to add strength in depth and cover losses by graduating seniors. This is another exciting signing for Auburn."

Cechini has been showing competitively since the age of 5. She has successfully competed and won in the Equitation, Hunters and Jumpers at the Capital Challenge, HITS Saugerties, HITS Ocala, Lake Placid, Saratoga, HITS Culpeper, WEF and the Hampton Classic. One of her biggest accomplishments was Champion in the Large Junior Hunters at the 2006 Hampton Classic.

"Taylor rides with Olympic rider and top trainer Chris Kappler," said Williams. "She is a beautiful rider who has worked hard under Kappler's coaching. She is bringing not only riding skills, but a great team attitude to Auburn. I am really excited about Taylor joining our team next fall."

Donnelly has been riding since the age of 7 and competing on the A-AA circuit since the age of nine. She has competed in Large Ponies, Children's Hunters, Large Junior Hunters, Junior Jumpers and medal/equitation. She qualified for the Maclay Regionals, USEF Talent Search and the National Hunt Seat Medal competing on a different horse at every show. She has also qualified four ponies for Pony Finals and finished seventh at Washington National. Donnelly has over 70 combined Champion and Reserve Championships plus numerous Classic and Medal wins.

"Piper rides with Patty and Richard Rogers who have produced several great riders for Auburn in the past, including current Hunt Seat and associate head coach Lindsay Neubarth," said Williams. "Piper is a talented rider, but what is most exciting to us as college coaches, is her ability to win on a multitude of horses. She qualified for the medal finals never riding the same horse twice. That is an accomplishment that anyone would have to have great respect for."

Lin has several wins at the Winter Equestrian Festival, Lake Placid and the Hampton Classic. Some of her 2009 accomplishments include: second at the ASPCA Maclay at Devon, third in the Essex Classic/USHJA Hunterdon Cup, fifth overall in older small junior at the East Coast Junior Hunter Finals, sixth at the Wolffer Estate Equitation Championship and second at the ASPCA Maclay Region 2 Regionals. In 2008, she was third at the Washington Jumper phase at Devon and eighth at the Wolffer Estate Equitation Championship. In 2007, Lin was 11th at the USET Finals East.

"We have seen Christina compete well at the Large Equitation events," said Williams. "She rides with Andre Dignelli of Heritage Farms who produces some of the best young riders in the country. Christina could have a strong impact early in her collegiate career."

In 2009, Rucci was a semifinalist in Showmanship at the AQHYA World Show. She was also Reserve All Round Champion at the 2009 Tennessee Spring Celebration and top ten in Horsemanship at the 2009 Redbud Spectacular. She was a member of the 2008 and 2009 Georgia Congress NYATT team and won the 2008 Congress Novice Youth All Round Champion as well as Reserve Champion in Novice Youth Horsemanship and Showmanship. Rucci has won several all-around and year end awards at HQHA and GQHA shows along with qualifying for the 2007 and 2008 Youth World Shows. A member of the National Honor Society, Rucci is the 2009 GQHA treasurer and was the 2008 GQHA delegate.

"Stephanie has been riding with Debbie Lisabeth in Georgia," said Williams. "Her all-around experience is going to be very beneficial to the type riding required in college. Stephanie seems to be that wonderful combination of talent and inner drive coupled with a sweet demeanor. We are really looking forward to her being an Auburn Tiger."

Snively has been riding and training young horses since the age of 8. She has shown and had several wins at Wellington, HITS, PCHA, GOHJA and PSJ. In 2009, she was Reserve Champion showing in Hunt Seat Equitation on the Flat and over Fences at HITS and qualified for the 4H Regionals. Snively currently ranks fifth out of her class of 400 at Winter Haven Senior High.

"We have known Addison for years," said Williams. "She has been coached by Dana Noga in Ocala, Fla., but also has regularly attended the equestrian summer camps here in Auburn. Knowing her training and from camps, we feel very comfortable that she will continue a strong work ethic in college along with talented riding. We have loved the Snively family for years and have enjoyed watching Jack, the Alabama fan father, learn to love orange and blue as well."

Zillner has competed for over 12 years in various quarter horse competitions around the country. She was a semi-finalist at the 2009 AQHA Congress in Columbus, Ohio, and has multiple circuit championships in Horsemanship and placed in the top ten at the 2008 AQHA Congress. She also qualified and competed at the Youth World Show in Horsemanship. Zillner is an honors student and a member of the varsity basketball team at St. James Academy.

"Chelsea is coming to us with a wealth of experience in top level riding," said Williams. "She has been coached by one of the top youth coaches, Jackie Krshka, so I know fundamentally she is ready for college horses and competitions. I believe Chelsea will be able to have a tremendous career as a Horsemanship rider in college."

Taylor Cechini	Piper Donnelly	Christina Lin
Stephanie Rucci	Addison Snively	Chelsea Zillner

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