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ALUM Spotlight
Greg Williams '86 and Lindsay Neubarth '03

Auburn's Horse Unit Manager Greg Williams '86 formed the Auburn Equestrian Team in 1996. The team began its first full competition season two years later as a club sport and by 2002 they gained status as a varsity team sport. Lindsay Neubarth '03 rode for the Auburn Equestrian Team as a student where she excelled in competition in the huntseat division, and was named the 2003 Region High Point Rider of the Year. The 2004-05 season marks her return to Auburn's Equestrian Team as Assistant Coach. With Lindsay's assistance in the huntseat division as well as the addition of another Assistant Coach this season, Ruth Sorrel, who's expertise is in the western division, Coach Williams has led the team in an exciting 2-2 season that's not over yet.

Q. When did you first become involved with horses and riding for competition?

GW. I first became involved with horses when I was really young. My mom competed in barrel racing and had a passion for horses, she was the one who started me riding. I later progressed to showing, competing in rodeos and then on to a career training horses.

LN. You could say that I've always had the riding “bug.” I started taking lessons at age seven, and I was in my first horse show at nine years old. I became a working student at twelve so I could continue riding and be more competitive. I spent most of my grade school and high school years working for my trainers and I have spent most of my life in a barn or at a horse show.

Q. Why did you choose to attend AU?

GW. I chose Auburn because of the strong Animal Science Department. Being local, I was very familiar with Auburn and an Auburn fan, but I looked around at other school's Animal Science Programs and decided I liked Auburn's the most.

LN. As a senior in high school I knew I wanted the ‘big school experience.' I had gone to private schools all my life, and I was ready for a new adventure. As I looked for schools, I found that Auburn offered several things I couldn't pass up: the promise of a varsity equestrian program (though it was still a club when I first visited), a big school atmosphere in the comfort of a family-like community, and southern warm weather and hospitality. The warm weather was a huge bonus coming from Chicago.

Q. What brought you back to AU professionally?

GW. I was in the business of training and breeding show horses when I was offered the position of managing the Horse Unit here at Auburn University. I was very interested in living here and raising a family, but my passion was in working with students and horses together. Since that time we have added more equine classes, started an equestrian team which is now a varsity sport and we are working on starting an equine science curriculum. LN. Last summer the assistant coaching position became available. When Coach Williams approached me about it, I jumped at the offer. I love Auburn. To me, it feels like home. I was excited and honored for an opportunity to return. As an Auburn Equestrian alumnus, I feel truly blessed to have a part in this athletic program. The Auburn Athletic Department is amazing and I'm having a great time working here as a part of it. The equestrian team was such an integral part of my collegiate years; I feel so lucky to have it as part of my life again.

Q. What was a highlight from your years as a student and a highlight from your years as an equestrian coach?

GW. I don't think I can choose highlights from my student years at Auburn as much as I can the overall help and support I received from the College of Agriculture in preparing for a career in the horse industry. My years of working for the Animal Science Horse Unit when I was in school have proved to be among the most valuable of my life. The highlight of my career upon returning to Auburn has been without a doubt the formation of the Auburn University Equestrian Team and its elevation to the varsity level.

LN. My academic highlight was graduating Magna Cum Laude as a varsity athlete. As for the Equestrian team, nothing could beat winning the Region, Zone, and representing Auburn University and the Southeast at Nationals both as an individual and as part of the team my senior year. So far the highlight for me as a coach has been our first victory of this season. It was my first competition back at Auburn, and it is a completely different feeling to coach instead of being a competitor. It was so awesome to see success in action, and to know I was a small part of that victory.