Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 – 11 a.m. CT
No. 4 SMU Mustangs (4-4) at No. 1 Auburn Tigers (6-2)
Auburn University Equestrian Center - Auburn, Ala.
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DALLAS (SMU) – No. 4 SMU Equestrian is set to travel to Alabama to face the top-ranked Auburn Tigers on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 11 a.m. CT, at the Auburn University Equestrian Center.
The Tigers lead the all-time series record 5-12 against the Mustangs. In the two teams' most recent meeting, Auburn narrowly defeated SMU, ending in a tiebreaker of 10-10 (1646.75-1645.38). SMU swept the Western MOPs, with Ava Blyth winning the honor for Horsemanship and Makenna Bomke securing the accolade for Reining.
Last time out, the Mustangs fell to then-ranked No. 4 Texas A&M 10-8 on the road. Madison Rafacz earned her fourth Reining MOP of the season. In Auburn's most recent meet, the Tigers fell to then-ranked No. 6 South Carolina 10-9. The team now owns a 6-2 season record.
STANGS ON A ROLL
Freshman Madison Rafacz has gone undefeated in her first season at SMU, posting a Reining record of 7-0-1 and picking up four MOPs along the way. SMU has swept the Western MOPs in all but one meet this season. The Mustangs have secured Reining MOPs in every competition this campaign. Team Captain Augusta Iwasaki leads the team in total MOPs this season, earning four honors in Fences and one on Flat.
WESTERN RIDERS BRING IN THE HONORS
Junior Jayna Lagace earned the title of Arion NCEA Horsemanship Rider of the Month in January, going 2-0 in the month and claiming two MOPs. Her score of 80 against then-ranked No. 3 South Carolina is tied for the fifth-highest Horsemanship score in NCEA history.
SMU had a great end to the month of September, with riders earning both Arion Western Riders of the Month. Sophomore Violet Shetler was named NCEA Horsemanship Rider of the Month after defeating South Carolina's Lillian Laney 78-77.5 on Sept. 26, nabbing the third MOP of her career. At her first-ever collegiate meet, freshman Madison Rafacz bested the Gamecocks' Gracie Mae Stinger 74-73.5, earning the first MOP of her career. Rafacz's performance was also named the NCEA Western Ride of the Week.
RISING IN THE RANKS
Augusta Iwasaki is currently second in program history for most career MOPs with 19 and first in active career MOPs. Iwasaki ranks first at SMU for all-time MOPs in Fences with 16. The senior also is tied for the fourth most Fences wins in a single season, earning 12 victories in the 2024-25 season. The Jumping Seat rider has had three consecutive double-digit win seasons. Senior Hannah Hoch has also put her name in the SMU record book, ranking ninth in most all-time Fences MOPs with five. Senior Alexa Black had an impressive mark last season, earning her the two-spot in the SMU record book for the most Horsemanship wins in a single season with her 14 wins. She ranks fourth in Horsemanship career wins with 29.
