April 16, 2007

Auburn - The Auburn equestrian team (8-6) prepares to defend its title at the 2007 Varsity Equestrian National Championships in Waco, Texas, from April 18-20 as the Tigers will be one of 12 teams to compete in both western and hunter seat competitions at the Heart of Texas Fair and Rodeo Complex.

"We're not trying to defend last year's title," said Auburn head coach Greg Williams. "We want a brand new one, one that is completely ours and had nothing to do with last year. We want it again, so it doesn't feel like we are trying to defend anything. We feel just like the underdogs going after a new one."

On the western end, fourth-seeded Auburn (9-5) will face the winner of (5)New Mexico State and (12)South Dakota State on Wednesday. The Tigers defeated New Mexico State 6-3 when they faced each other on March 10. Auburn last faced South Dakota State March 18, 2006, where the Tigers took the 5-3 win.

"It would be an upset if South Dakota State beat New Mexico State," said Williams. "We've met New Mexico State before, and they are good. We picked up a win, but when you win at home you know the horses and it is easier. Playing them on a neutral turf would be different."

Auburn's fourth-seeded hunt seat team (9-5) will begin competition Wednesday, facing the winner of (5)Texas A&M and (12) Southern Methodist. Auburn last faced Texas A&M head to head on Feb. 27, when the Tigers were defeated 526-502. The Aggies won the overall title in 2002 and the western title in 2005. Auburn and Southern Methodist have never faced each other.

"I haven't seen either one of those teams this year," said Williams. "I do know that both are good. Texas A&M has beaten a lot of good teams that we have seen. They will probably have the upper hand in the meet, but it is anyone's ballgame. I am not going to plan on who we will go against. We are not going to worry about that part. We just look forward to competing, no matter who it is."

Representing Auburn on the western side and competing in reining will be seniors Julie Gibbes and Whitney Kimble, junior Kimberly Tidwell, sophomore Ashley Griffith and freshman Lyndsey Jordan. Griffith, Kimble and Tidwell will also compete in horsemanship along with sophomore Ashley Milton and freshman Jessica Jones. Alternates for the Tigers in reining will be Jones and Milton and in horsemanship will be Jordan and senior Ashley Dickerson.

The Tigers competing on the hunt seat side over fences will be senior Natalie Burton, sophomores Jessica Braswell, Lauren Hulen and Jenny Reinhart and freshmen Katie Breedlove and Jenny Reinhart. Joining Burton and Reinhart on the flat will be sophomore Maggie White and freshman Chelsea Anheuser. Alternates over fences will be Anheuser and White and on the flat will be Braswell, Breedlove, Hulen and Rifkin.

"A lot of the girls know exactly what it is like to go through this bracket system and that is going to help us a lot," said Williams. "All the freshmen we are taking have to do is follow suit and keep scoring big like they have been doing all year.

"They have been working hard in practice and their attitudes are great. They really want to win, so I feel really good about going."