Abby Wagner loves the quiet magic of mornings in the barn.
That's when the most delicate but no less important work is done by her and a handful of Auburn Equestrian teammates preparing their horses for competition.
It's when they braid the manes and tails of their beloved equine athletes, horses like Bo and Cam and Soprano.
Horse braiding may be an art best appreciated by those who've at least seen the beauty of competitive equine events on television, even if they've never seen an Auburn equestrian meet in person.
"It's something we take a lot of pride in," Wagner said while finishing up her masterful work on the eve of Auburn's appearance at the 2016 National Championship in Waco, Texas.