Sept. 13, 2007

AUBURN--Former Miami (Ohio) assistant Lisa Helfer has been named Auburn equestrian assistant coach, head coach Greg Williams announced Thursday.

Helfer was the instructor of riding and the coach of the Western IHSA equestrian team at Miami (Ohio) for the past two years. She led the team to two regional championships, a zone reserve championship, the national semifinals and a top 10 finish at the IHSA Nationals. She also coached the regional high point western rider two consecutive seasons.

"I am so pleased to have Lisa added to our staff," said Williams. "She not only has a great background in horses but in working with athletic teams as well. Lisa has already taken Auburn and the equestrian team to heart, so I know she will be a wonderful asset to our program and the community."

Working with horses for more than 23 years, Helfer competed for the Western IHSA in Open Horsemanship and as a reining rider. After graduating from the University of Findlay in 1998, she trained and coached both youth and amateur riders.

The Hartville, Ohio, native has shown extensively in 4-H, Open, AQHA and NSBA events, specializing in all-around competition and has earned awards in both the Ohio and Northern Ohio Quarter Horse Associations in Showmanship, Horsemanship and Equitation classes. She has also competed as an amateur and was a finalist at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress.

Helfer holds an Ohio judges card and judges both open and 4-H competitions and is active with the 4-H youth and teaching clinics. She has spent five years as a reproduction specialist managing some of the top reproduction facilities in Ohio and Florida.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, Contact: Chuck Gallina (334) 844-9800