Ring for Raulerson

When No. 5 seed Texas A&M clinched their 12th NCEA National Championship and lifted the trophy in the air together last April, it was a top moment for the team who dominated the meet, 54-8.
For the first time, the championship had been won before the last event.
 
"When we found out that we won that last point, everybody went crazy and got super emotional," junior All-SEC Horsemanship rider Sarah Orsak said. "It was just great to see all of our hard work throughout the entire year pay off in that one moment."
 
Last Friday, diamond-encrusted, horse-shoe championship rings were presented to teammates. One by one, girls in elegant dresses walked up to accept the culmination of their accomplishments.
A two-word, cursive inscription was engraved on the inside of each ring: The Universe.
 
"The Universe just meant for us, no matter what happened or any of the circumstances, that we were going to get the job done," Orsak said. "It was kind of just our phrase for the entire year. It was a reminder for everybody to do your job, go out there and have fun. No matter what happens, we're still one big team and one big family."
 
Since her freshman year, Orsak an All-SEC Community Service Team selection, has been working closely with Tacey Raulerson through a program called Team: IMPACT, which connects children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses to college athletics programs across the country.
 
"[Sarah's] very hardworking," Raulerson said. "She's so sweet and she pretty much gets everything together."
 
Raulerson, a 17-year-old high school senior who's been riding with the team since she was 13, was the first name announced to receive a ring.


 
According to her family's Facebook page "Prayers for Tacey Raye," the first Miss Tough Enough to Wear Pink Rodeo Queen for Wrangler Jeans and mainstay on the Maroon & White has two rare forms of cancer called Retinoblastoma and Neuroblastoma.
 
Despite the cancer causing her to lose her sight at age six, Raulerson practices with the team every day after school.
 
She has her own locker complete with her name on it in the locker room and attends meets with the equestrian team, too, including the Semi-Finals and Finals in Waco, Texas, where the Aggies found out they won the National Championship crown for the first time since 2012.
 
"Honestly, she's just always been a part of our team," Orsak said. "So when they asked how many rings do we need to order, we were just like, 'Well, she obviously needs one too because she's a major part of our team.'"

Many things made the moment special for Raulerson, who similarly sees the Aggie squad as close-knit.

"Being part of the team is great," Raulerson said. "All of the girls are so wonderful and it's almost like a family."
 
Her mom expressed gratitude for how the team has opened their arms and wholeheartedly accepted Tacey.
 
"From the girls who started all the way through, the coaches, everybody, they have been so loving," Tammy Raulerson, Tacey's mom said. "She's one of them. She loves it."
 
From the moment they first arrived and did their traditional Aggie Yells together at Nationals (like they do before each meet), to the fierce competition they faced throughout the weekend, the Aggies knew this was their time and they were in it together.
 
"I just really remember the team coming together for the entire day," Orsak said. "We had a great start in the morning and then we knew it was going to be a tough competition that afternoon, but we all knew that we could do it. So we went out there and did. It was really fun to see everybody at their best."
 
She said Tacey is a positive asset to the team in many ways.
 
Her joy for riding with the team, enthusiasm for connecting with her teammates and love of the sport are what stand out most to Orsak.
 
"It's her passion, just like all of us, so we just all have a lot of fun when she's around here," Orsak said.
Raulerson, a College Station native, described how she got started riding horses with a laugh.
 
"When I was six years old, I had a teacher who rode," she said. "I had just lost my sight. I live in the middle of town, but she brought her horse into my front yard. From that second on, I knew I wanted to ride."
 
She started out barrel racing before becoming involved in Rodeo Queen competitions and eventually discovered that she enjoyed Horsemanship events the most.
 
"I love riding horses because you feel freedom when you're on a horse and in control," she said.
 
The horse that she has been riding at Texas A&M, named Thor has been described as a gentle giant. Last year, through a donation by Shelie Hartman-Gibbs, Raulerson was able to take Thor home.
 
Just like people, horses have unique personalities, too.
 
"He's just sweet, almost like a puppy dog, wants to love up on you, wants you to be petting him and rubbing his nose, giving him treats," Raulerson said. "He's a little spoiled…okay more than a little [laughs]."
 
Orsak agreed.
 
"You can go fast on him and [he's] really good at spins," Orsak said. "He really takes care of you in a way.   I think that's why him and Tacey get along so well together, because he takes care of her and she is there for him."'
 
The bond with both the horses and girls on the team is special to the riders.
 
"I think the reason why I'm passionate about this sport is because you really build a bond with the horse and that's so different than any other sport," Orsak said. "Instead of having a team of 50, we have a team of over 100 with half of them back at the barn."
 
They share many memories.
 
"The first year that I was involved with the team, I went to switch day, which is a day where the Western girls ride the Hunt Seat horses and the Hunt Seat riders ride the Western horses," Raulerson said. "That was one of my best memories. That's the first time I ever practiced with the girls on the team, so that would probably be my favorite."
 
Orsak said a memory with Raulerson that she cherishes is from Tacey's birthday last year.
 
"We got her this giant cookie cake and all were here with her. She had no idea and we surprised her with that," Orsak said. "Just celebrating with her and getting to come out here on a daily basis with her is a lot of fun."
 
Approaching her 18th birthday and senior year of high school, Raulerson will work hard on the team this season in pursuit of more championship rings.
 
"She's just always so happy to be out here, and I think it's such a great reminder for everybody when we're having a rough day or we maybe don't want to come to practice. We remember how lucky we are to be able to be on this team and be healthy in general," Orsak said. "She brings that spark to the team."