No. 4 Auburn hosts No. 5 SMU on Friday

Press Release

AUBURN, Ala.  – The No. 4 Auburn equestrian team will kick off its spring season on Friday as it plays host to No. 5 SMU at 1 p.m. CT at the Auburn University Horse Center.

The Tigers closed the fall slate with a 3-3 (1-2 SEC) record with wins over UT-Martin, Texas A&M and Kansas State. Junior Elizabeth Benson led the Tigers with nine overall wins including a perfect 6-0 in Equitation over Fences. Junior Griffin Knight and sophomore Ashley Foster posted six wins, followed by senior Demi Stiegler, who added five.

Sophomore Tory Hoft posted the conference’s highest score in Equitation on the Flat, 95, in Auburn’s upset victory over Kansas State. For their efforts in November, Hoft and Foster were named SEC Riders of the Month, while Foster was named the NCEA’s Rider of the Month in Fences.

“We are anxious to get started again,” head coach Greg Williams said. “This is going to be a great measuring point for us as we head into the spring season. (SMU head coach) Carol Gwin has done an excellent job. They are moving up, and they are having a great season. This is a much tougher team than SMU has ever fielded, so it is going to be a good test.”

Auburn’s Fences lineup will feature Benson, Foster, Stiegler, junior Megan Bifano and freshman Halle Robinson. The Equitation on the Flat lineup includes Benson, Foster, Hoft, Stiegler and senior Jennifer Delman.

The Tigers’ Horsemanship lineup features seniors Katie Buff and Lucy Igoe, juniors Griffin Knight, and Hannah Loseke and sophomore Hannah Stephens. Senior Katsy Leeman, juniors Allie Dusha and Hailey Munger along with freshmen Elizabeth Cosper and Alexa Rivard highlight the Reining lineup.

Live results for the meet can be found online at www.AuburnTigers.com.

For the latest on Auburn equestrian, follow @AuburnEQ on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AuburnEQ.