Brad Kearns took over as the Mustangs’ Western Coach in July 2021. Kearns joins SMU after a successful career competing, coaching and judging in the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), American Paint Horse Association (APHA) and National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA).
Kearn’s was a key component of a historic Mustang team that captured SMU’s first NCEA National Title in program history. Five of Kearn’s riders, Nya Kearns, Mallory Vroegh, Chalyce Head, Lily Anderson and Alexa Black were named NCEA All-Americans. Vroegh and Dani Latimer were also named the National Championships Most Outstanding Performers in Horsemanship and Reining, respectively.
In Kearns's first year as the Western Coach, SMU added its fourth consecutive ECAC Conference title and finished No. 3 in the final NCEA poll of the season. The Mustangs were 11-7 on the year and 4-1 in the conference. At the NCEA Championships in Ocala, Florida, SMU took down No. 1 Auburn in convincing fashion 12-8 in the quarterfinals. Kearns coached two all-American selections in Nya Kearns and Mallory Vroegh. The Mustangs had four NCEA all-American selections total, including two in the Western discipline.
Kearns has coached multiple youth riders to AQHA High Point All-Around year-end titles. In addition, he has coached two AQHA Select World Champions, eight AQHA Youth World Champions, four AQHA Amateur Reserve World Champions, three AQHA Amateur Reserve World Champions and three Appaloosa World Champions.
As a competitor, Kearns is an AQHA World Champion and Reserve World Champion in Trail and Western Pleasure and has won a number of national titles in other events as well.
Kearns has served as a judge at major horse shows across the United States and around the world in countries like Switzerland, Germany and Australia. He previously judged the American Quarter Horse Association World Championship Show and the Australian Pleasure Horse Association National Championship Show.
Kearns’ daughter, Nya Kearns, competes in Horsemanship for the Mustangs. Nya is a three-time all-American.
