An Auburn freshman's junior days in equestrian sports are coming to an end, but whatever hurdles Elizabeth Benson may encounter in her next phase, her coaches have no doubt that she can clear them.
Benson, 18, came to Auburn from her home state of New Jersey already with a long list of accomplishments from her junior career in the sport.
The equestrian team's head coach, Greg Williams, said of Benson: "Elizabeth is a phenomenal rider. We knew she was a great rider in high school and doing her individual competitions."
As for Benson's weaknesses as a rider now, Williams said there aren't many.
"She can get along with any horse, she can make improvements on everything she gets on, she's consistent and she wins," Williams said. "She's still right now competing in a lot of individual competitions."
Benson competed last weekend in the Washington International Horse Show and won first place in the equitation finals.
Assistant Coach Jessica Braswell, who specializes in "hunt seat," Benson's event, commented on Benson's performance so far with the University's equestrian team.
"We have two disciplines... Hunt seat is one of our two disciplines," Braswell said. "Within that discipline we have equitation on the flats and equitation over fences and Elizabeth competes in both. She's a great competitor; she's going to have a very good career at Auburn."
"She's competed for us in several events against Oklahoma State earlier in the fall and won both of the rides and was most outstanding player in equitation on the flats."
Braswell added, "She really has got control and nerve and has the ability to ride any horse, and the horse would like her which is really important in college riding. She can be very adaptable."
Speaking about her past with the sport said, Benson said: "I actually started riding when I was about 3, because my parents were both trainers in New Jersey, so it's kind of in our family."
Presently, her major is undecided, but she said she is leaning toward business.
However, she intends to go as far as she can in the sport. When asked if she wanted take it to the professional level, she responded, "Yes, absolutely."
She said one of her favorite aspects about the sport is, "It always keeps me guessing, which is a big thing... You're always on your toes, whether or not it's going to be a great day with you and your horse, and with your partner, and the whole thing. And it's thrilling in that sense, you know, you never know how it's going to turn out, and you hope for the best and when it goes your way it's kind of rewarding."
As for her horse: "I have a couple, but my main horse that I'm showing at the nationals is my own; his name is San Remo."
She said she bought San Remo in 2009 and that he is kept in New Jersey. From there he is driven to the location of her competition.
In comparison to her past as an individual performer with that of her new role on a team, she said, "I absolutely love it. It's different because up to this point as... junior levels it's all individually based."
Benson said that the different experience of being on a team is a welcomed change.
"There really aren't many opportunities to show as a team or with other people, so for me it's a different experience, but it's an experience that I really like... But the team is amazing."
The culture of Auburn made the change a smooth transition, Benson said.
"It was different but again it's something that I love. I love the town and the atmosphere and how welcoming everybody is whether it's the team or people in classes you know everybody's so friendly and warm and that's really important to me."
According to the coaches Benson will enter her amateur career, the stage after junior, in December, which will lead to more involvement with the team and be another step closer to the realization of her desire; riding professionally.
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