DALLAS – Caroline Nielson was looking for something different for her final year as a collegiate equestrian competitor. After four seasons with the Oklahoma State program, Nielson didn't really know what to expect when she arrived in Dallas as a grad transfer with SMU.
During the season-opening meet against TCU, Nielson stepped into the show pen with nothing to lose. The overall match had been decided and no matter what Nielson did her performance wouldn't impact the outcome.
So, with encouragement from assistant coach Brad Kearns, Nielson let loose, knowing she could do no harm. She lost her head-to-head battle but posted a score of 79, the highest score for any SMU horsemanship competitor and the fourth-highest horsemanship ride of the match.
As the team gathered for a post-competition huddle, Nielson was called out and celebrated. It was at that point she knew the move to Dallas was the right choice.
"That moment, with how your coaches and your teammates respond in a loss, especially where it is individual losses and wins, it's a lot more telling and indicative of the team culture than when you win your point and win MOP," Nielson said. "Obviously, everyone is going to be happy for you when that happens. But just the way Brad and the rest of my teammates responded to that loss, I just knew I was going to be happy here whatever happens."
It's an atmosphere of friendship and togetherness that the 12 student-athletes taking part in Friday's senior day match against TCU have worked hard to foster during their time in Dallas, no matter how long or brief.
The group features riders who are at numerous stages in their collegiate experience. Some will be riding for the last time, having exhausted their eligibility. Others will have the option to return next season, benefitting from the additional year provided by the COVID pandemic pause.
No matter the journey, this group has done it all together.
"The time here has gone by so fast, but you can't help but feel like you've known these girls for so long," said fifth-year senior Dani Latimer. "We want each other to be successful in the show pen and outside of it. So, there's still a lot of awesome things to look forward to and build off from this experience. But knowing it's the last time we're going to put on our SMU shirts and walking out on the home turf, it's going to be sad."
Building something special
Chalyce Head was more than 2,000 miles from home in a new country where she didn't really know anybody. Coming all the way from Alberta, Canada to ride in college could have been an isolating experience.
But that's not how things work at SMU.
"Once I got down here, met my teammates and met the coaches and everything, it was like instantly they became a second family to me and all the concerns went away because there was just so much support from the equestrian team," Head, a fourth-year senior, said. "And since then, I've been able to make such amazing memories. It was definitely worth it."
When Head and the rest of the longtime SMU student-athletes arrived in Dallas, the program was good. The Mustangs were routinely ranked high in the NCEA top 10, capturing conference titles and competing well at the national championship meet.
In fact, many of the veterans were on the roster in 2021 when the Mustangs resumed competing after COVID shut down the previous year just ahead of postseason action. SMU went 10-2 that season, reaching the finals of the NCEA Championship. It was the closest the program had come to a championship at the time.
"Before I committed to any school, I never really looked at how their records were or anything. I kind of just came into school like, 'I just want to ride on a team.' That's pretty much it," said fourth-year senior Taylor Madden. "My first year, when we were reserve champs, they were like SMU's never done this well before. I was like, 'Really?' That was really cool my first-year in."
Turns out, it was a precursor of greatness to come.
Over the last several years, being good has transformed into being elite with SMU heading into the postseason as the defending NCEA dual discipline national champions. The Mustangs capped a record-setting season last spring with the school's first team national title in any sport since men's outdoor track and field in 1986.
Having committed riders willing to do the work has certainly helped make that possible. But the true secret to success isn't measured in hours of workout or skill training. It's a support system unlike any other on campus.
"I always say we're the top sorority on campus. We really are like our own little sorority. It's such a good group of girls. It's such fun. We're really, really tight," said redshirt junior Hailey Johns. She will be joining the class she entered with for the senior day sendoff with two years of eligibility left. "I think our culture is our secret sauce. I think that's what separates us from the other teams and it's just a joy to be a part of that and I'm thankful for every minute."
More than wins and losses
Katy Merchant sees the balancing act undertaken by some of her teammates. The chance to compete for one of the country's premier equestrian programs is obviously a big draw for any student-athlete being recruited to the school.
But this group has proven it can do so much more.
"I think it's so interesting how diverse our goals and interests are and I think we all support each other and those things so much," Merchant said. "We have really good balance and embody a hard-working spirit. There's kind of an understanding of work ethic across all the different things that we work on, and we kind of come together, even though we can be different in those ways."
For some, those interests have been connected to the equestrian world. With the blessing of the coaching staff, several SMU riders have been given the chance to compete in industry equine events while also riding for the team. Whether it's a major western show a few hours up the road or a global trek to compete on an international stage, the ability to chase greatness is available, provided a student-athlete keeps up with their academics and is willing to put in extra work to make up for time missed.
But achieving something bigger isn't limited to horses.
For fourth-year senior Katherine Delagarza that has meant splitting time between her commitment to the equestrian team and an internship with the accounting firm KPMG in Dallas. Delagarza has worked with the coaches to develop a tailored practice time that fits into her schedule, which often means early mornings and Sundays. She isn't the first SMU equestrian athlete to take on dual roles, following in the footsteps of several who did it previously.
And while she isn't a normal face in the SMU starting lineup, Delagarza is still at the barn on home meet days, warming up horses and cheering her teammates on. She's grateful for the opportunity to compete for a championship caliber team while getting real-world experience that will set her up for what comes after college.
"The coaches understand that there's life after the sport and they obviously want you to have a great experience with the sport and give it your all – but they understand that you want to get a good job and make sure you have a good life plan set up after being a student-athlete," Delagarza said. "That's something that's been really, really great about my whole experience here. It's just given me really incredible memories and being a student-athlete."
For graduate student Taylor Zimmerman, the extra year granted to her because of COVID is the unlikely ending to a story that almost went unfinished.
When she arrived in Dallas five years ago, Zimmerman was leaving behind a small Missouri town for a metropolitan city. The move nearly proved to be a lot to handle as she struggled academically early on.
Five years later, the supports provided to her by SMU have put her on track to earn a master's degree from the Cox School of Business. The team, the bonds, the help, all of it guided her to find who she is now.
"(This experience) is very important to the person I've become," Zimmerman said. "Thinking about how I've been able to do a master's program at Cox, it's just been a really cool journey and I'm really thrilled I got to do that."
Leaving a legacy
Shelby Clausen knew she was walking into a high standard. As a three-year rider with Baylor, Clausen had seen just how talented the Mustangs were, as the teams faced off three times last season, with SMU earning victories in every match, including the first round of the NCEA Championship.
When she transferred to Dallas, Clausen wasn't exactly sure how she would fit in or what her role would be given the returning talent. All she wanted was a chance to help make the Mustangs better.
"I was definitely kind of nervous to compete for SMU for the first time because there is just that extra level of added pressure. I got to compete a lot for Baylor, but then coming in and being able to compete right off the bat for SMU, I felt like there was a lot of pressure there – not that anyone put on me, but that I put on myself, not wanting to disappoint those girls," Clausen said. "But it's been super fun and definitely a very big honor to be able to represent SMU. And all the girls have been super supportive in the transition."
That welcoming attitude and blending new talent with the established culture is a big reason for SMU's continued success this season. It's how the veterans want to be remembered, as a team that opens its arms and embraces those who are ready to compete.
It's evident these young women truly like being around each other, both at the barn and in social settings. Their friendship is real – which has created a byproduct of tremendous success.
"Everybody wants to be there and put in the extra time. It's almost more relaxed in a way because we're comfortable with where we are and we know we're all really good," said fourth-year senior Macie Soderquist. "We're all excited and we have a good attitude and everyone wants to put in the extra work. With us, we really do enjoy being at the barn, being at practice and it's just fun."
Added fourth-year senior Nya Kearns: "I mean I knew that we could do great things and we would do great, I knew that we could be a great team, but I never could have imagined that we would do the things that we've done and accomplish all that we've accomplished."
On Friday, it'll be the emotions of senior day. For some, it will be the second time they've been honored. For others, it's the first go-round of being recognized. Some will graduate. Some might come back. Some will continue riding others. Others are headed to opportunities away from a saddle.
No matter the path ahead, this group is grateful for the journey so far. And it's one they plan to finish together in April, searching for another championship to add to their already impressive legacy.
"Last year, we really hit our stride. And this year, it's the same kind of thing," said grad student Lily Anderson. "We just know that it's possible now, which I think drives me a lot as well as the other girls too. Just knowing that it's possible that our team can do something like that is really motivating."
