Day two was the day that our team spirit really showed. We had stayed up late the day before making signs to cheer each other on and break up the pressure we were all feeling with a little fun. 

As we waved our blue-striped “Pony Express” and polka-dotted  “Pony Up” high in the air in the stands, the competition really began to gain momentum. First the fences girls killed it, and I was relieved to bring a point to the team.  Then we gained more and more points as the flat and reigning girls brought their A-game. By the time the horsemanship division began, the day was already won. 

The cheers were deafening and the indoor stadium crackled with excitement. SMU, the unlikely #1, showed the world that we deserved to be at the championships defending our ranking. We spent all school year working towards this goal, sacrificing the “normal” college experience in exchange for time at the barn and in the gym…..

And it was worth every minute.