WACO, Texas (NCEA/SMU) – The SMU equestrian team will enter the National Collegiate Equestrian Association National Championship seeded fifth overall, announced the NCEA in a release on Tuesday.

SMU will face the fourth-seeded South Carolina Gamecocks (10-5) on Thursday, April 16, at 7:30 a.m. CT, at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida.

The Mustangs have split the series with the Gamecocks this season, with each team winning on its home turf. Most recently, SMU defeated South Carolina 12-7 on Jan. 31. Jayna Lagace and Sara Beth Filiatreau earned MOP honors for their events, dominating the Western arena. The Mustangs finished the regular season with a record of 5-5.

The championship action will take place on April 16-18. The field is made up of the top-eight Dual Discipline and top-four Single Discipline teams in the country. Both disciplines will engage in a single-elimination tournament to earn the trophy.

Dual Discipline Seeding
1. Auburn Tigers (9-3)
2. Texas A&M Aggies (7-5)
3. Georgia Bulldogs (8-5)
4. South Carolina Gamecocks (10-5)
5. SMU Mustangs (5-5)
6. Oklahoma State Cowgirls (8-3)
7. TCU Horned Frogs (8-6)
8. Fresno State Bulldogs (7-5)

SMU at the NCEA Championships

Year       Seed      Result

2025     No. 1     National Runner-Up

2024     No. 2     National Champions

2023     No. 1     National Champions

2022     No. 7     National Semifinals

2021     No. 4     National Runner-Up

2019     No. 6     First Round

2018     No. 5     First Round

2017     No. 8     First Round

2016     No. 10   Second Round

2015     No. 8     First Round

2014     No. 10   Second Round

*program went to four disciplines in 2013