Isabel (Izzy) Litkenhous, an Auburn native and member of the Auburn equestrian team, spoke on Apr. 7 about her decision to return home after spending a year at Ole Miss. Litkenhous said that being away from Auburn helped her realize how much she valued her hometown and the university community.
Her story highlights the importance of finding one’s place and making meaningful connections during college years. After initially leaving for new experiences, Litkenhous returned to Auburn where she found fulfillment both academically and through athletics.
Litkenhous explained that she applied to transfer back to Auburn without telling her parents at first, saying, “I kind of just applied to Auburn and didn’t tell my parents that I applied until after. I didn’t want to get told no.” She joined the equestrian team between her sophomore and junior years when an opportunity arose. “It’s kind of always been somewhat of a dream of mine,” said Litkenhous. “I couldn’t really pass up the opportunity when it was offered in front of me.”
During her time with the team, Litkenhous said she learned valuable lessons about hard work and perseverance: “A lot of days it’s like ‘how am I going to make it through the day?’ But at the end of the day, it’s always very rewarding knowing that I can still balance this much on my plate while doing the things I love, studying a degree that I love.” She added, “I think perseverance pushes you and makes you a better person and endurance does as well. Pressure makes diamonds.”
As graduation approaches this spring with a major in animal science, Litkenhous plans to pursue pharmaceutical sales in veterinary medicine focusing on equine science. She expressed enthusiasm for supporting animal welfare: “I’m a big advocate for animal welfare and support especially in the equine industry as well as the support horse industry. I think it’s important to promote the best care for your horse.”
Looking ahead, Litkenhous will remain in Auburn another year after graduation before getting married next summer. She intends to continue supporting future meets and stay connected with teammates: “Auburn University is a great place and so is Auburn equestrian,” she said. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
