Thursday, April 16, 2026 – 7:30 a.m. CT
#5 SMU Mustangs vs. #4 South Carolina Gamecocks
World Equestrian Center - Ocala, Fla.
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DALLAS (SMU) – Fifth-seeded SMU Equestrian will battle fourth-seeded South Carolina in the first round of the NCEA National Championship 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.
ALL-AMERICA SELECTIONS
Last week, the team had five riders earn NCEA All-America honors. Standout freshman Madison Rafacz nabbed a spot on the All-America First Team for Reining after going an unblemished 8-0-2 this season. Newcomer Caroline Signorino recorded a Fences mark of 7-2-0, securing Second-Team All-America honors in the event.
Captain Augusta Iwasaki was named an NCEA All-America Honorable Mention on Flat for the second consecutive season, posting a record of 7-2-1 on Flat. SMU had two riders earn NCEA All-America Honorable Mention status for Horsemanship this season: Jayna Lagace and Violet Shetler. Lagace logged a 6-3-1 record this campaign, collecting back-to-back MOPs and a season-high score of 80. Violet Shetler also found tremendous success in the 2025-26 season, going 7-3-0 in Horsemanship and nabbing three MOPs.
EXCELLENCE OUTSIDE OF THE RING
Recognized for their academic success, six members of the SMU equestrian team made the NCEA All-Academic First Team: Alexa Black, Ava Blyth, Hannah Hoch, Augusta Iwasaki, Jayna Lagace and Aedan Mooney. Earning a spot on the Second Team were Makenna Bomke, Violet Shetler and Genevieve Johns. Eighteen Mustangs were tabbed to the NCEA Academic Honor Roll.
Captain Ava Peck was named a finalist for the NCEA's YETI Workhorse Award, joining a group of only three other riders. The award recognizes "the teammate who fully embodies the mission and heart of the team. She is the athlete who supports her teammates, cares deeply for the equine athletes, and defines success not solely by wins and losses in the competition ring, but by the dedication and effort she brings to the barn and locker room every single day."
MUSTANGS ON THE NATIONAL STAGE
The Mustangs were back-to-back National Champions in 2023 and 2024, marking the 10th national title for SMU Athletics. SMU is the third school to claim back-to-back national titles, joining Auburn and Georgia. SMU has made three straight appearances in the NCEA Championship title meet (2023, 2024, 2025). The team has picked up a team win at least one NCEA Championship meet since 2021.
MOPing THE FLOOR
In total, the Mustangs have earned 23 MOPs in the 2025-26 season. SMU has taken home seven MOPs in Jumping Seat with six of the honors being won by captain Augusta Iwasaki. The senior is currently second in program history for most career MOPs with 20 and first in active career MOPs. Iwasaki ranks first at SMU for all-time MOPs in Fences with 16.
On the Western side, the Mustangs have secured 16 MOPs, sweeping the Western accolades in eight consecutive meets this season. Madison Rafacz and Sara Beth Filiatreau lead the discipline with four MOPs each this season. Showcasing their depth in Horsemanship, the Mustangs have had three riders pick up multiple MOPs in the event.
