Alumni Spotlight: Alexa Rivard

This week's Alumni Spotlight features one of the best to ever compete in Reining for the Tigers.
 
Alexa Rivard finished her career with a wealth of accolades. The two-time NCEA All-American and two-time All-SEC competitor completed her time on the Plains as the program's winningest rider in Reining, finishing with 44 career wins. She was a part of the 2016 and 2018 NCEA Championship teams as well as the 2016 Southeastern Conference winning squad.
 
In addition, Rivard excelled in the classroom and finished her undergraduate degree in three years before pursuing her masters. She was an NCEA All-Academic honoree as well as a three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll student.
 
Years competed: 2014-18
Major: Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science & Master of Science in Exercise Science with a focus on Biomechanics
 
Current job: "I'm a program manager at Foam Tec Products in Suwanee, Georgia."
 
Why did you choose this profession?: "I was introduced to the foam fabricating and packaging industry at a young age when my dad started his company. I loved watching the development of an idea transition into a drawing or specification that ultimately transforms bulk foam into a finished product. At the time when I was transitioning from an Auburn student to a full-time employee, my dad's company was growing rapidly, and he was having to work ridiculously long hours just to keep up.  Since I was already familiar with the business, he begged me to come work there just until things settled. Now he begs me not to leave."
 
How did Auburn prepare you to be successful away from the Plains?: "Auburn, especially Auburn equestrian, taught me how to trust and enjoy the process. Starting with 4:30 a.m. alarms for workouts, long nights studying in SADC, hours and hours at the barn, balancing the life of a student and an athlete, savoring the wins, and growing from the loses. If it wasn't for patience and trust in that process, we wouldn't have had the success we did. I've carried that with me through life after college and I'm enjoying the ride."
 
What does Auburn Family mean to you?:  "Auburn Family means walking down the street and saying 'War Eagle' to a stranger with the biggest smile on your face. It's rolling Toomer's Corner with people of all generations who are there for the same reason, to celebrate and show their love for Auburn. Auburn Family is the unconditional love and support from everyone wearing an AU.
 
To me, Auburn Family means walking onto campus as an eighth grader for an equestrian summer camp and immediately knowing this will be family away from my family.  The sense of pride everyone has being a part of the Auburn Family is unmatched. In terms of Auburn equestrian, Auburn Family means "you are your sister's keeper" (wise words from Coach Greg Williams). That means you will always have each other's back. You win together and lose together in and out of the arena. You are accountable for each other and are honored to do it."
 
Favorite moment or memory from your time on the team?: "This is hard because there are so many incredible memories. But there are two that stand out to me…
 
The first is, the moment I was finally able to take a breath after completing my ride on Nash. I remember the pressure of that ride being high: going against the highest score, needing that point to clinch the meet against Texas A&M, and wanting to break the career reining wins record. I will never forget petting Nash on the neck and then looking up to see 36 teammates screaming and jumping around. I was still trying to go over the ride in my head when the score came in and I was swarmed by all the girls. I was crying and overwhelmed with love and support from teammates and coaches. We worked incredibly hard to edge out a competitive team and breaking a program record was just a cherry on top. I'd give anything to be able to celebrate with those girls again.
 
The other memory is what happened at nationals my senior year. It was my ride in the finals against our rival Georgia. I was second to go and super excited about drawing this horse. Because we are not allowed to alter another team's tack (except stirrup length), the girl holding the horse checked everything over and said I was good to go. We had a great warmup and it was time to go in. Our stops and first set of circles were going really well until we changed leads to start our left set of circles. As I was in a large fast circle, I noticed I was starting to sit too far on the outside (right) of the horse. We continued to run, and I continued to slide farther right, when it hit me that my saddle was not tight enough. At that same time, I heard the team and parents in the stands gasping and saying, "her saddle is falling off!" I remember thinking in my small slow circle, "ok, I just need to get through this lead change and then I can readjust." I really enjoyed that horse and I was determined to win that point for the team. After giving a smile to my teammates, I did exactly that."