AUBURN, Ala. – The future is truly bright for the 2019 national champion Auburn equestrian team as three of the four National Collegiate Equestrian Association Rider of the Year awards went to underclassmen, the league announced Thursday.
Sophomores Taylor Searles and Taylor St. Jacques with freshman McKayla Langmeier were all selected as end-of-year recipients. In addition, head coach Greg Williams took home the NCEA Coach of the Year honors.
The recognition is the first for Williams, who guided the Tigers to their sixth national championship and third in the last four years. The squad put together the sport's first-ever undefeated season, finishing with an 18-0 mark that was highlighted by a thrilling 8-7 victory over rival Georgia in the national championship. The program also picked up its second Southeastern Conference title this season.
In addition, Williams and his staff guided Auburn to a record 19 All-America recognitions as well as taking home three of four SEC Rider of the Year awards and two SEC Freshman Rider of the Year honors. In addition, 10 Tigers were placed on various All-SEC teams.
Searles, a Scottsdale, Ariz., product, was named the Horsemanship Rider of the Year after putting together one of the best seasons in program history, finishing with a 16-1-1 overall record. Her win total set a new Auburn single-season wins record in the event.
Searles was a first team All-American, All-SEC and NCEA All-Championship performer, going a perfect 4-0 at the national meet and scoring a meet-high 227.5 in Auburn's win over Georgia for the national crown. In addition, Searles went 6-0 during the regular season vs. SEC opponents.
St. Jacques finished her sophomore season with a 14-0-1 record in Equitation on the Flat to earn Rider of the Year recognition in the event. The Glen Allen, Va., native garnered seven MOP honors throughout the year and was named the SEC Flat Rider of the Year.
In addition, St. Jacques was a first team All-American, All-SEC and NCEA All-Championship honoree in Flat. She also took home the Most Outstanding Performer honor for the NCEA Championship.
Langmeier had one of the best freshman seasons to date in the Auburn program and was named the NCEA Fences Co-Rider of the Year, finishing with a 12-2-0 mark in Equitation Over Fences. Hailing from East Granby, Conn., she was named the SEC Freshman Fences Rider of the Year and was placed on the All-SEC and SEC All-Freshman teams.
Adding to her long list of awards, Langmeier was a first team All-American in the event and was placed on the NCEA All-Championship team following a successful showing at the national meet. Overall, Langmeier never scored below an 80 in the event during the regular season, which was an impressive feat for the sport.