The equestrian team will look to build off its inaugural season when it starts up its second season this weekend against a trio of nationally ranked opponents. The team is looking at a busy weekend with a Friday match against the Auburn Tigers and Sunday matches against the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Georgia Bulldogs.

South Carolina, the defending varsity equestrian national champions, beat the Horned Frogs 5-3 in the first round of the western tournament, knocking them out of that event.

Although the team returns qualifying members from its national team such as junior Carrie von Uhlit and senior Kindel Huffman, it also welcomes in 16 freshman riders.

Head coach Gary Reynolds said competition against renowned opponents will be good experience for the new recruits.

The events consist of four head-to-head matches at each school with teams of five competing in each event. The four events are western horsemanship, reining, equitation over fences and English riding. Teams are judged by two judges and come out victorious with one point, or with zero points. The points are added up to give a total for the team and determine the winning team.

Reynolds said the team has looked outstanding at practice to this point and is confident heading into a weekend jammed with quality SEC opponents.