WACO, Texas (NCEA/SMU) – SMU Equestrian's Jayna Lagace has been named the Arion Rider of the Month for Horsemanship, announced the National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) on Wednesday.

This is the third Arion Rider of the Month accolade won by a Mustang this season. Lagace joins Violet Shetler and Madison Rafacz, who both garnered the accolade in September.

In the 2025-26 campaign, Lagace has posted a record of 4-2-1, winning her point in the last four consecutive meets. On Jan. 28, the junior led the Mustangs to a commanding 15-5 victory over No. 7 UC Davis. Defeating the Aggies' Ada Hirschfeld 75.5-72, Lagace earned her first MOP honor of the season. In the win over then-ranked No. 3 South Carolina on Jan. 31, the Connecticut native defeated Ruby Voortmeyer, securing herself another MOP. With a mark of 80, Lagace's performance ties for the fifth-highest Horsemanship score in NCEA history.

After the two ranked wins in January, the Mustangs now place fourth in the NCEA Selection Committee's national rankings, owning a 4-3 record.

UP NEXT
No. 4 SMU will hit the road to face No. 3 Texas A&M in College Station, Texas, on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 1 p.m. CT.