March 9, 2007

Auburn - Auburn equestrian (6-5) hosts New Mexico Sate for the first time in school history on Saturday at the Auburn Equestrian Center at 1 pm. The last time these two teams faced, the Tigers defeated New Mexico State 833-827.5 in the first round of the western division at the 2006 Varsity Equestrian National Championships.

"I know that New Mexico State is a stronger than last year," said Auburn head coach Greg Williams. "They beat Baylor, who we lost to this past weekend, and they tied Georgia in tournament. Georgia is one of the strongest teams in the country. I think that they stepped up their wins this year. They are coming in looking for a win."

The Tigers are coming off of an overall 1-2 weekend at the Texas Trilogy where it lost to Baylor and TCU, and defeated SFA. The western team finished 1-2, defeating SFA, while the hunt seat team finished the Trilogy undefeated.

"Three wins on the road is hard to do, but I want the hunt seat team to keep winning," said Williams. "They are relaxed and confident. I think that the western team is going to have more confidence after their last win. Everyone in lineup is in a familiar position and they are going to be confident.

"We always want to expect the win. New Mexico State is a very strong team. Between now an nationals they are going to hurt people's feelings, we just don't want it to be ours."

Looking to take their fourth straight hunt seat win be senior Natalie Burton, sophomores Jessica Braswell, Lauren Hulen, Jenny Reinhart and Maggie White and freshmen Chelsea Anheuser, Katie Breedlove and Rebecca Rifkin. Riding reserve on the flat will be Breedlove with White over fences.

Competing on the western end will be seniors Julie Gibes and Whitney Kimble, junior Kimberly Tidwell, sophomores Ashley Griffith and Ashley Milton and freshmen Jessica Jones and Lyndsey Jordan. Riding reserve in horsemanship be freshman Kylie Miller and over fences will be Jones.