WACO, Texas (NCEA/SMU) – SMU Equestrian's Madison Rafacz has been named the Arion Rider of the Month for Reining for the second time this season, announced the National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) on Wednesday.
This is the fourth Arion Rider of the Month accolade won by a Mustang this season, two being earned by Rafacz. The freshman and sophomore Violet Shetler garnered the monthly award for their respective Western events in the month of September. Most recently, junior Jayna Lagace nabbed the honor for Horsemanship in January.
In her inaugural season at the college level, Rafacz has been a consistent and dynamic starter on the Western side. The Florida native has gone undefeated in her event, posting a record of 8-0-1. Rafacz has tallied four MOP honors this season, tying her for sixth in program history for most Reining MOPs.
In the month of February, Rafacz went 2-0-0. The Western rider secured an MOP in her 72-70.25 victory over then-ranked No. 4 Texas A&M's Anna Harris. The other point was won against No. 1 Auburn's Caroline Buchanan, throwing down a mark of 70.5.
The Mustangs have entered their third consecutive week of placing fourth in the NCEA Selection Committee's national rankings.
UP NEXT
No. 4 Mustangs will host their final home meet of the season on Saturday, March 7 at 12:30 p.m. CT against No. 6 Oklahoma State. After the competition, the team will honor its ten seniors in a ceremony.
