The Auburn equestrian team has had a great ride so far in the 2010-2011 season.
The team holds a 7-2 record after defeating the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs Nov. 12.
"They rode together, they rode well, and I thought they did great," said coach Greg Williams.
Auburn is ranked No. 3 heading into the break between fall and spring competitions.
A trip to Hudson Oaks, Texas, handed the Tigers one of their toughest competitions of the season when then fell to Texas Christian University 11-7.
"The season has been really good so far," Williams said. "After a tough trip to Texas, I like the way they responded on Friday against Georgia. I was proud of the way they competed."
The hunt seat equitation riders are undefeated and the strongest aspect of the team.
"We know the strengths we need to maintain, and we know the areas where we need to improve," Williams said. "What will help us is getting a break."
The team will head home for the holidays for a much-needed and well-deserved rest.
Williams said the team would probably stay the same in the rankings, despite beating the No. 1 team.
Equestrian has five more competitions, in addition to SEC play in the spring, before the national competition in April.
The Southern Equestrian Championships will be held in Blythewood, S.C., March 25-26.
"Our goal, of course, is to make nationals," Williams said.
The season has seen notable wins over Delaware State, Southern Methodist University and Fresno State.
"The season has been going well for the team as a whole," said freshman Christina Lin.
Lin said during the break, the team will work on getting better by continuing to workout and riding every day.
"My favorite part of the season was traveling to Texas," Lin said. "Getting to bond with my teammates when we were under pressure was really a great experience."
Equestrian will open the second half of its season in January against the Sky Hawks of the University of Tennessee Martin in Martin, Tenn.
They will face Georgia again Feb. 12 in Bishop, Ga.
"It's been an awesome season," said senior Mary Casey. "All of our girls have done amazing, and I'm proud of them."
Casey said great riding by everyone on the team has been the highlight of the season.
"We are going to continue to ride every day and try to keep getting better," Casey said. "We are working for nationals in April."
The Varsity Equestrian National Championships will be held April 14-16 in Waco, Texas.
For the team's eight senior riders, it will be their last shot at a national title.
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