COLLEGE STATION, Texas-Texas A&M senior Haley Buchmiller was honored by becoming the equestrian program's second first-team All-American, as the National Collegiate Equestrian Association announced its All-America teams this week.
Buchmiller was one of four equitation on the flat riders recognized nationally on the first team. In addition, five other Aggies - senior Laura Sumrall, juniors Audrey Gallagher and Logan Pluhar and sophomores Kaci Fisher and Anna Rea - earned second team and honorable mention All-America accolades.
“I am so excited to see the success of our flat riders be recognized,” said hunt seat coach Carolina Cramer. “They have worked extremely hard all year to get to this point. Haley is such a strong competitor and we are so lucky to have her as a leader for this team. Haley, Anna, and Audrey are all vital members of this team and I am so excited to see what is in store for them as we head to Waco for the National Championship.”
A native of Bartlett, Ill., Buchmiller leads the A&M hunt seat team in victories (9) and MOP awards (4) in 2014-15. She was recently named the MOP of the semifinal round of the SEC Championships with a 162-145 victory over Adele Norton of South Carolina.
Sumrall (Summitt, Miss.) was named an All-American in reining after leading her discipline, as well as the entire program, in wins (12). She will end her career this month as the winningest rider in her graduating class, with over thirty victories and back-to-back double-digit win seasons.
Gallagher (Richmond, Va.) earned the first All-America honors of her career after strong season on the flat. She finished with five victories in seven competitions in 2015, earning two MOP honors along the way.
Pluhar (Canyon, Texas) also made the All-America team for the first time in her career. She posted a strong 7-4-1 record and an MOP award on the year, as well as a quality performance at the AQHA Collegiate Horsemanship Challenge.
“I am very proud of Kaci and Logan's accomplishments this year," said assistant coach Jessie Weisinger. "They have both been vital to the success our team has had and I am looking forward to Nationals next week.”
Fisher (Abilene, Texas) led the horsemanship discipline with ten victories en route to her first All-America selection. She opened the season with eight straight victories and earned two MOP honors during the season.
Rea (Ponte Verda, Fla.) finished with a 7-4-2 record on the flat to earn her first All-America honors. She earned two MOP awards over the course of the season.
“We are very proud of our All Americans,” said head coach Tana McKay. “They all have worked so hard this year and it is really nice to see them being recognized for their accomplishments.”
This marks the fifth season that the NCEA (formerly known as Varsity Equestrian) has granted All-America status to the top equestrian student-athletes in the country. The NCEA selection committee is made up of coaches and administrators representing the Division I and II institutions that fall under the organization's umbrella.
Texas A&M returns to action at the NCEA National Championship next week in Waco. The overall fourth-seed will face either Auburn or UT-Martin in the quarterfinal round on Friday, April 17. For more information on Texas A&M Equestrian, visit 12thMan.com or follow @AggieEquestrian on Twitter.