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Twenty-One Tigers Earn NCEA Academic Honors
Auburn, Ala. – The Auburn equestrian program continues to prove its prowess not only in the arena but also in the classroom. Twenty-one members of the Tigers’ roster were recognized for their academic achievements by the National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA), reinforcing the program’s commitment to excellence across the board.
The NCEA announced its 2024-25 Academic Honor Roll and All-Academic Team selections this week, and Auburn was well represented. Eleven student-athletes earned spots on the prestigious NCEA All-Academic Team, while an additional ten were named to the NCEA Academic Honor Roll.
This recognition underscores the Tigers’ culture of discipline and dedication — not just in competition, but in the rigors of academic life at a nationally-ranked university.
A Tradition of Academic Excellence
Auburn’s equestrian program, already known as a perennial powerhouse on the national stage, has long emphasized the importance of academic integrity. With multiple national championships and SEC titles under their belt, the Tigers have continued to show that winning in the classroom is just as important as standing atop the podium.
“Academics are a cornerstone of our program,” said head coach Greg Williams. “We expect our student-athletes to lead in the ring and in the classroom. I’m proud of the way this team has embraced those standards.”
The NCEA All-Academic First Team requires a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher while also competing in a minimum of 70% of their team’s meets. The Honor Roll recognizes student-athletes who have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher.
Auburn’s impressive showing is a testament to both the resilience of its riders and the infrastructure of academic support the university provides.
All-Academic First Team Tigers
Among the standout student-athletes who earned First Team All-Academic honors were some of Auburn’s most consistent performers in competition. These include seasoned veterans and rising stars alike.
Notable Honorees:
- Grace Freeman, a senior in Hunt Seat, has been a leader both in competition and in her major of Animal Sciences. With a GPA above 3.9, Freeman continues to be a model student-athlete.
- Madison Smith, a junior specializing in Horsemanship, has maintained academic excellence while also posting one of the team’s top win percentages this season.
- Isabella O’Connell, a sophomore standout, has earned a 3.8 GPA while balancing a demanding pre-veterinary track.
These athletes exemplify what it means to balance elite competition with rigorous academics, consistently demonstrating time management, responsibility, and leadership.
“Being a student-athlete at Auburn is a full-time commitment,” Freeman said. “I’m grateful for the support we have here — from our coaches, advisors, and professors — who help us make it work and reach our goals.”
Academic Honor Roll Members
The additional ten Tigers named to the Academic Honor Roll have also showcased the same dedication to scholarly success, proving that the Auburn standard extends throughout the entire roster.
Included in this list are underclassmen who have made strong starts to their academic careers, and seniors who are finishing their collegiate journeys on a high note.
“These honors reflect how seriously we take our academics,” said assistant coach Taylor Searles. “It’s not easy balancing everything our student-athletes do, but they rise to the challenge every day.”
Balanced and Built for the Future
The breakdown of Auburn’s honorees reflects a healthy balance across all class years and disciplines within equestrian — including Reining, Horsemanship, Equitation on the Flat, and Equitation over Fences. It’s a good sign not just for this season, but for the sustainability of the Tigers’ success into the future.
“You don’t build a championship culture overnight, and you certainly don’t sustain it without academic accountability,” Coach Williams added. “What these young women are accomplishing is nothing short of remarkable.”
That accountability has become a calling card for the program. While much of the national attention often falls on the performance side — and rightly so, given Auburn’s sustained dominance in SEC and NCEA competition — the Tigers have built a brand synonymous with excellence in every realm.
That balance is something the program sells during recruiting, and it resonates deeply with families looking for an environment where student-athletes are truly students first.
“Knowing that Auburn cared just as much about academics as athletics was a huge reason I came here,” said freshman Honoree Leah Carter, a pre-med student in Reining. “They don’t just talk about it — they live it every day.”
University-Wide Support System
The support the Auburn equestrian program receives from the wider university community is another crucial factor in its continued academic success. The Auburn Athletics Student Services staff plays an essential role, offering tutoring, advising, and academic mentoring tailored to the needs of each student-athlete.
Weekly study halls, progress reports, and individualized attention all contribute to a culture where academic performance is not just monitored — it’s championed.
“Auburn has invested in helping us succeed in every way,” said junior Equitation rider Megan Dalton. “They understand the unique demands of our sport — the early mornings, travel, practice schedules — and they work with us, not against us.”
Equestrian, unlike many sports, often requires additional hours at the barn for grooming, tacking, and horse care. These responsibilities add another layer to the daily time crunch, but Auburn’s infrastructure is designed to help student-athletes meet those challenges head-on.
A Model Program
As the NCEA continues to promote the sport of equestrian across college campuses, programs like Auburn’s serve as the gold standard. From national championships to academic honors, the Tigers are showing what’s possible when excellence is expected and supported on every level.
This latest round of academic recognition is more than just a list of names — it’s a statement about the values that underpin Auburn’s program.
The program’s culture encourages a mindset where “student” always comes before “athlete,” and the results speak for themselves.
With 21 honorees, Auburn continues to lead not only in competitive rankings but in academic integrity — something that won’t show up in a win-loss column, but that leaves a far deeper legacy.
The Full List of Honorees
NCEA All-Academic First Team:
- Grace Freeman – Hunt Seat
- Madison Smith – Horsemanship
- Isabella O’Connell – Equitation on the Flat
- Riley Jameson – Reining
- Natalie Harris – Equitation over Fences
- Kaitlyn McIntyre – Hunt Seat
- Sophie Webb – Horsemanship
- Anna Brooks – Equitation on the Flat
- Taylor Meeks – Reining
- Claire Dalton – Equitation over Fences
- Emily Zhang – Hunt Seat
NCEA Academic Honor Roll:
- Leah Carter – Reining
- Megan Dalton – Equitation on the Flat
- Kayla Simmons – Horsemanship
- Brianna Torres – Equitation on the Flat
- Paige Anders – Reining
- Savannah Klein – Equitation over Fences
- Tessa Mills – Hunt Seat
- Jenna Paulson – Reining
- Olivia Monroe – Equitation over Fences
- Hannah DeWitt – Equitation on the Flat
Looking Ahead
With another strong academic year nearly in the books and championship season on the horizon, Auburn equestrian enters the home stretch with momentum both in the classroom and in the ring.
The Tigers are poised for another deep postseason run — and they’ll do it with a roster full of scholar-athletes who have already proven that their excellence extends far beyond the arena.
“As much as we’re focused on winning meets, we’re also preparing these young women for life after Auburn,” Coach Williams said. “This is a team of future veterinarians, doctors, educators, and leaders. And that’s something we’re every bit as proud of as any title.”
For the Auburn Tigers, success isn’t just measured by scores — it’s defined by character, commitment, and the kind of academic accolades now becoming an annual tradition.
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