For seniors Deanna Green and Taylor Searles of the No. 1 Auburn equestrian team, everything is better when done together.
The Horsemanship riders entered the 2021 SEC Championship tied for second in program history with 40 career wins apiece in the event. After each recording wins in the semifinal meet vs. South Carolina (March 26) to tie Lauren Diaz's 41, Green and Searles broke the record in fitting fashion as the pair helped Auburn win it's third straight SEC title the following day. The duo guided the Tigers to a 4-1 finish in the event over Georgia (March 27) as Auburn won the conference crown, 15-5.
"We felt that one of us would break it for sure, but we could have never dreamed we'd break it together on the same day to help our team win a SEC championship," Searles said. "Looking back now, I'm not surprised that it happened that way. We literally do everything together as best friends, roommates and teammates. It only made sense."
"The whole moment was surreal," Green said. "Taylor and I have done so many things together and have achieved our biggest goals side-by-side. To break the record in that way to help our team was something I don't think either of us had imagined."
The pair's friendship began long before they joined forces on the Plains. Competing in numerous youth shows throughout the country as kids, Searles and Green's competitive bond was strengthened by many hours spent in arenas.
"Our parents have always known each other through the industry so we've always known each other," Green said. "We started getting close when we were around 13."
"We were just always at shows together," Searles, of Scottsdale, Arizona said. "We would hang out as friends and then go into the arena and compete against each other. We had a lot of 1-2 finishes growing up and we were always just as happy when the other would do well. We pushed each other to be better in the arena as kids. We loved each other, but also wanted to beat each other."
Between the two, they have a combined 10 AQHA Youth World titles, 16 Congress championships and multiple AQHYA and NSBA accolades. But despite the many trophies, ribbons and awards won as kids, the next step for these two world champions was the new challenges that collegiate equestrian would bring.
"I always knew I wanted to go to college and ride as I watched some of the older riders ahead of us go to college and be successful," Searles said. "It's a completely different way to compete and I was really excited about it. I visited Auburn first and fell in love right away. I didn't think I could get Deanna to leave Texas, though."
"For me, I knew I wanted to go to college, but didn't want to leave Texas because I just love my home state," said Green, originally from Pilot Point, Texas. "I didn't even know where Auburn was. Taylor called me after she verbally committed and told me how great it was and my mom set up the trip. As soon as I drove into town, I knew I liked it. I didn't want to tell Taylor she was right."
Green eventually told her and the pair fittingly signed their National Letters of Intent together back in the stalls during a horse show.
"We were in Oklahoma City competing at the AQHA Youth World Show and it was just perfect timing," Green said.
The dynamic duo moved to the Plains and settled into a new era. The friends turned into teammates and roommates and started setting goals together.
"When walking into the team room our freshman year, we would see Griffin Knight's picture at the top of the Horsemanship career wins list," Searles said. "The coaches asked us what our goals were and I'm pretty sure we both said we wanted to beat Griffin. And then Lauren Diaz broke it and our goal changed."
"And when Lauren beat it, we told her to keep winning and get that bar higher," Green added. "We want to catch you so make it hard."
The roots laid by those before helped them find shade under the success of the Auburn equestrian tree. The accomplishments of Knight (2013-16), Diaz (2016-19) and Kelsey Jung (2017-19) motivated Searles and Green to reach for their lofty goals.
"Griffin toured me around when I came on my unofficial visit and played a big part in me signing with Auburn," Green said. "She was real with me and said that she didn't see me being okay with being on a team that wasn't as motivated as Auburn was to be successful.
"Lauren and Kelsey were a huge part of our journey here as well and played a big role in how we've excelled as riders and as leaders," Green added. "Taylor and I are both proud to call them all our good friends still and we wouldn't be who we are today without them."
Now in their fourth season on the Plains, the pair is motivated to work hard for the team that has become so important to them.
"We just have each other's backs," Searles said. "Seeing how good your teammates are makes you want to keep pushing to get better. And this team is the definition of hard work. We ride for something other than ourselves and I think it shows."
The duo will be faced with a new challenge as the 2020-21 season draws to an end. For the first time in a long time, they will be apart as Green is moving on and Searles is using her extra year granted by the NCAA to compete next season.
"Taylor and I have pushed each other to be better since we were young," Green said. "We came to Auburn to be the best and I don't think I could have accomplished anything here without her. Coming into college is a big adjustment already and Taylor has been so supportive and has just always been there for me."
"Deanna is so good at everything she does and I can't wait to see what's next for her," Searles said. "People believe in her and I know she's going to put her whole heart into whatever is next just like what she did here at Auburn."
"Taylor is going to be a great leader for this team next year," Green added. "They believe in her and I believe in her. I'm really excited to see what she and the Tigers do next season."
But before the goodbyes are said, the Tigers have one more goal to accomplish. Behind the leadership of Searles and Green and the rest of the senior class, Auburn has its sights set on the 2021 NCEA Championship. More trophies and rings to add to the collection.
"We came here because we wanted to win and this team has everything it needs to do that," Green said. "One of my favorite things about being on this team is the sisterhood and that everyone here is just exceptionally good at what they do. On both sides of the arena, you can just see how talented and successful this team is and can be. And that's so motivating every day."
