Senior Day for the 2021-22 Auburn equestrian team is set for Feb. 26 vs. Texas A&M and it's time to catch up with those spending their last season on the Plains.
Taylor Searles will finish her illustrious career as one of the best to ride for Auburn. The three-time All-American holds the program's all-time career wins record in Horsemanship and has been the team's top riders in Reining this season. The fifth year came to the Plains from Scottsdale, Arizona.
Q: How is this season different knowing it's your last year on the Plains?
"I guess it still hasn't hit me that this is my last season competing. I am just living in the moment every day and focusing on each meet one at a time."
Q: How has your experience prepared you for life beyond college?
"I credit Auburn equestrian for shaping me into the person I am today. It has really taught me to focus on bettering not only myself but those around me. I ride for something bigger than myself and winning and I think that is a mindset that I will carry into everything I do in the future."
Q: What would you like to say to the fans and the rest of the Auburn Family?
"One of the main reasons I came to Auburn five years ago was because on my unofficial visit, I felt how much the entire Auburn community supported the program and that is something I did not find anywhere else. I would like to say thank you to Auburn Family for the constant support and recognition of the hard work we put in and out of the arena."
Q: Looking back on all the big moments you've been a part of, what is one that really stands out?
"The 2019 National Championship. When it came down to the last point and we were sitting in the stands holding hands and patiently waiting for the scores to come in. The whole team was sitting together and as each judge's score came in and we realized we had won, we jumped up and the celebrations began. Looking back at the videos from that moment, I still get the chills."
Q: If you had one piece of advice to give your younger self, what would it be?
"The little things really do matter."
Q: What is your major and what is the next step for you after Auburn?
"I was lucky enough to not only receive my undergrad degree in Marketing but also receive a Master of Business Administration. Following this season, I plan on pursuing a career in coaching."
Q: Going into the rest of the season, what is one thing you're looking forward to?
"The post season is always my favorite. I have always thought that we ride our best in the post season and when we have the most fun. It's when the pressure is on and it is the time to prove how hard we have worked and how bad we want it."
Q: Who is/was your favorite horse at Auburn and why?
"Soxy and I always had a love hate relationship with each other. I had some of my highest and lowest scores on her and through it all she taught me so much."
Q: What is your favorite Auburn tradition and why?
"Rolling Toomer's. It is always a good day when we roll Toomer's because it means an Auburn win. And driving through downtown after always brings a smile to my face."
Q: Best Greg Williams quote?
"This is the hardest question because there are way too many to pick a favorite even if I don't understand some of them. One of my favorites is when he was talking about the Weeknd's Superbowl halftime show last year and how instead of just being called Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, he decided to just call himself the whole weekend and that it was cool that he had that much confidence in himself to be the whole weekend. Basically, he told us to not just be like Friday, Saturday, or Sunday but to be like the Weeknd and ride with confidence."