DALLAS (SMU) – Siena Krueger knows the moment is looming. 

Sometime before No. 4 SMU hosts No. 6 Oklahoma State at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, the soon-to-graduate equestrian student-athletes will line up to take part in senior day festivities. In her three previous seasons, Krueger has seen how emotional these ceremonies can be. And four years since arriving in Dallas, it's now her time in the spotlight. 

"I think I'm kind of avoiding actually thinking about it. I'm not good with emotions as is. I'll be like, 'I'm fine.' And then all of a sudden it's going to break me," Krueger, a first-generation college student, said ahead of the event. "If I see some of the other girls crying, I'm going to start crying because of that. Because we're so attached to each other and we feel each other's feelings."

Fellow senior Alexa Black understands that sentiment. Denial will likely be her mindset as long as possible. 

"Some of the other girls have been feeling really, really sad and nostalgic, and I'm like, 'Guys, no it's not. It's not real.' It doesn't feel real," Black said with a laugh. 

For this group of riders, the contest will be the final chance to share in a home meet at the Dallas Equestrian Center before playing the waiting game. SMU will have slightly more than a month of time before the NCEA National Championship event kicks off in Ocala, Fla., on April 15. 

Home meets, while grueling, are also a celebration. They are a marathon that starts before sunrise and can go well after dark. But for these girls, they are so much more. 

"It's a day where we get to spend 12-plus hours together. We're all kind of in the struggle bus together, but that's what makes it so much fun because we all have each other to lean on during those hard moments," senior Annie Veenstra said. "And then we get to celebrate with each other when the reward comes after."

Ahead of the competition, the Mustangs have been doing all the usual activities. During the week, the team gathered for poster making, a pre-home-meet tradition that eventually turned into hanging out and playing games together. 

The laughs, as usual, were plentiful. These young women, while competitive, are friends. That's a message that has permeated throughout the program for years now. The Mustangs, no matter what class or event, truly share a unique bond. Every student-athlete has a role and supporting each other is always the priority – both at the barn and away from it. 

"There couldn't be a group of people that have different strengths but mesh so well together. We're so grateful to have each other and to be such a close class makes the experience that much better," said senior Taylor Kraft. "Coming in as a freshman and really not knowing anyone, you immediately found your people and I'm so grateful that my class was able to become so close so quickly. All of these girls are still my absolute best friends and the best part about college."

Added senior captain Augusta Iwasaki: "I think we're very good at making time for each other and doing things together and just trying to keep the fun and the friendship going, even when things get very busy. The younger riders know that and how important it is to our team. I'm very confident that tradition will live on."

Saturday will undoubtedly be a blend of emotional fanfare and needed competition. The Mustangs (4-5) have faced a stiff schedule with an equal number of home and away matches exclusively against foes ranked inside the NCEA top 10. SMU rebounded from an 0-3 start with four straight wins before dropping a pair of road contests in February. 

That makes the matchup with the Cowgirls crucial as the Mustangs are hoping to recapture some momentum heading into the preparation period before nationals. 

"I think that we all know our job and we all know how to do it. We just have to go out and execute," said senior Hannah Hoch. "I think this meet is just a big deal for our class specifically because it's very sentimental and emotional, but I don't think that'll get in the way of anybody doing their job. I think the second half of the season and the second semester has given us a lot of momentum. I think we'll peak at the right time."

Added senior Annabele Whitehead: "I feel like (the upcoming break) gives us more time to focus on nationals. In order to stay prepared in the past, and this year too, we really just make sure to keep showing up and holding each other accountable all the way up until we leave for Ocala, while still trying to have fun and enjoy it."

Captain Ava Peck, a grad student, echoed that, adding, "My message to the team is just to keep riding for each other and enjoy these moments. We've built something really special with this group, and when we stay connected and bring good energy, that's when we're at our best."

If any squad understands how to get the job done, it's this one. 

These seniors were part of the freshman class that brought SMU its first national title in 2023, followed by a second straight crown in 2024. Last spring, the Mustangs had to settle for runner-up as they reached the championship finale before coming up just short against Georgia. 

But first, there's one final chance to spend the day together, at home, surrounded by friends, family and supporters. There will no doubt be tears and, with some luck, hopefully a reason to celebrate when the dust settles. For these seniors, it's a moment they might have avoided thinking about for a long time, but, now that it's here, they intend to embrace it. 

"I don't think anything truly prepares you for your last college career meet. I plan on soaking it all in with my teammates and enjoying the little time we have left," said senior Elle Moreno. 

Added senior Reynolds Cole: "It's been an awesome four years obviously and I wouldn't want it to go any other way."