April 6, 2007

Auburn - The Auburn equestrian team defeated South Carolina 10-9 of the semifinals of the Southern Equestrian Championships. The Tigers took a 7-2 win in western, their third straight win, but fell 7-3 to the undefeated Gamecock hunt seat team. Auburn continues to the championship round Saturday, where it will face Georgia at 10 am.

"This is probably the best rides the western girls have ever put together against South Carolina," said Auburn head coach Greg Williams. "The reiners rode phenomenal today and the horsemanship riders did equally as well. They were on top of their game. When you go up against an undefeated hunt seat team like South Carolina, you know that the western end was going to have to be strong.

"Hunt seat didn't perform as well as I expected them to or as well as they wanted to. We did have some good rides, but not many. We made a lot of simple mistakes. I just want them to ride like they are hungry and with passion. I bet they will ride differently tomorrow."

With their 7-2 win, the western team is now undefeated against South Carolina this season. The Tigers tied in horsemanship 2-2, but swept the reining 5-0.

"It is a real confidence boost for us," said junior western rider Kimberly Tidwell. "The fact that we swept them in reining is unbelievable. I have trouble in reining sometimes, but I was able to get through today. Georgia has a really good western team, and this gives us a confidence boost going into tomorrow."

Auburn and Georgia will come head to head for the third time this season. The last time the Tigers defeated Georgia was at the 2006 Varsity Equestrian National Championships where Auburn claimed the title.

"Georgia has a lot of depth on both sides," said Williams. "The western girls have to be strong tomorrow to match up against Georgia's western team. Hunt seat is going to have to jump up and help carry things tomorrow. Georgia brings strength on both sides. They are always a talented and well coached team. One side isn't going to win this tomorrow, so both are going to have to compete hard."

Admission is free to the championship where the Auburn seniors will be honored during the break.