Working for Auburn Equestrian is much more than a job for Lindsey Neubarth, associate head coach of the Hunt Seat.
"To have a job where you represent Auburn and help other people come to know it doesn't seem like work," Neubarth said. "It's awesome."
Neubarth said she is entering her sixth season of coaching, and she has already helped lead the equestrian team to two national championships in 2006 and 2008.
Another highlight for the team and coaching staff was being recognized on the football field at Jordan-Hare Stadium and receiving national championship rings, Neubarth said.
Neubarth is no stranger to championship wins and high honors in horseback riding.
She was on the club team all four years of her undergraduate career at Auburn, during which she was one of its top Hunt Seat competitors.
"My senior year was the first year the equestrian team became a varsity sport," Neubarth said. "We went to nationals as a team and won fifth."
Neubarth also became the 12th-ranked Hunt Seat rider in the country that year.
"My favorite thing about being on the team was when we became a varsity sport and (part) of the athletic department," Neubarth said.
Neubarth graduated from Auburn in 2003 with a dual degree in criminology and psychology and a minor in Spanish.
Neubarth said she rode professionally for a year and a half after she graduated.
She also served as a legislative aide for Rep. Thom Collier of Ohio before joining the coaching staff of the equestrian team.
"I love working in the athletic department," Neubarth said. "There are a lot of passionate people involved with it, and it makes it exciting."
A native of Cincinnati, Neubarth said she has never owned her own horse.
"My parents are from downtown Chicago," Neubarth said. "I got riding lessons as a gift for my seventh birthday, and then it was all over."
Neubarth said she was addicted after that, and she began working to pay for her riding lessons.
"I started working when I was 11," Neubarth said. "I was a working student; I exchanged working for training."
Neubarth said she never planned on being a coach, but now she cannot see herself doing anything else.
"The moments I know I'm supposed to be a coach are when athletes come into my office with life problems," Neubarth said. "And I can help them through my experiences. It's the biggest high."
Neubarth said her family members still live in the Midwest, but she loves living in Auburn.
"I miss my family a lot, but the good thing about Auburn is you get to create your own family here," Neubarth said.
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