Get to Know: Morgan Rosia
BJ Carden, Athletics Communications
Equestrian's Morgan Rosia has made a huge impact on the team while also thriving in her academic career.
The Germantown, Maryland, native was named to the All-Championship Fences team at the National Collegiate Equestrian Association National Championship last season. She continues to succeed this year, collecting MOP honors after scoring 85 points this fall against South Carolina.
The senior has accumulated many academic honors throughout her time at A&M, including the SEC Winter Academic Honor Roll in the last two seasons--along with making the APHA Academic Honor Roll in 2020-21 and the NCEA Academic Honor Roll in 2021-22.
How did you first start in the equine industry?
“I started when I was six years old. My mom and I started taking riding lessons together at this place 10 minutes from my house. I wanted to compete, so when I started doing that, she kind of stopped and slowed down on her riding and let me go from there. I started competing in the ponies then moved up to the horses later and traveled for that.“
What other activities did you participate in as you were growing up?
“I played soccer for a while. I played tennis. I played the piano. I did so many other things when I was really little, but once I started riding my mom gave me a list of sports to choose from and asked me which one I wanted to do. Of course, I chose the horse because what 6-year-old wouldn’t. I kind of did everything when I was super young, but once I started with the horses, I just stuck with that.”
Why Texas A&M?
“I chose Texas A&M because of the culture. Everyone here is so nice and friendly. I like that it's a super big campus. I’m in the business school and the business school is really good. And of course, the team. There were a lot of opportunities to be on the team, and within the team. It seemed like the place that I would fit in the best.”
You have career aspirations to work in wealth management. Why?
“I started in finance when I first came here because of a teammate where I used to ride, she studied wealth management, and it was just super interesting to me. I really like working with people and helping them, but I’m also into finance and economics and studying what’s going on in the markets, and it kind of combines all that together. I think the helping people part has come, a lot, from being on the team.”
You were a member of the All-Championship Team with a second-place finish at the NCEA Championships last year. How do you use that experience this year?
“I keep remembering that that was one of the greatest feelings. I didn’t start all year and I really just got thrown in a week before postseason started, so I had no expectations. I am trying to mirror that experience, because when you have no expectations and no pressure, you’re going to do your best. I’ve been trying to do that, and it's been really helpful.”
What were the emotions like when you got thrown into the starting role?
“It was kind of scary, but (Jumping Seat Coach) Abby (O’Mara) and all my teammates were super supportive, and they had been telling me for a while, ‘You got it. We know you’re going in. You deserve it. You work hard.’ Having all that outside support got me through it and now I have that within myself, so I don’t need that as much from everyone. My teammates definitely helped me through that, because it was a little scary.”
What does it mean to you to be a part of this team?
“I think it’s really cool having so many different girls from so many different backgrounds. We’re really from all over the country and some not even from this country, so that’s really cool. Being a senior and being able to lead the Jumping Seat side is super cool, because our team environment is so inclusive. The freshmen are some of my best friends and I think that is something that you don’t see on all equestrian teams. It’s been really cool to be a part of that and carry on what my seniors created for our team.”
What is your most memorable moment at Texas A&M?
“Going to nationals. That was a really cool moment. Like I said, getting thrown in and having no expectations and making the All-Championship team. I think I cried. It was just so cool to be a part of that and so see all the hard work that you put in paying off and making Abby and the rest of my team proud.”
Do you have a favorite horse?
“Her name is Gypsy. No one else likes her, but she’s one of my favorites because she’s so sweet. She’s very petite and fun. She gets a lot of cookies from me. I can tell she likes me.”
What is your greatest accomplishment?
“Proving to everyone and to myself, especially, that I can do this and be on this team and that I deserve to be here. It gets really hard with 55 girls and balancing being a really good teammate and proving to yourself that you deserve to be in that lineup. It’s something that’s been tough, but something I’ve learned and I keep trying to tell the younger girls."
If you could have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
“Probably Cane's. I love Cane's. It’s so good. That’s my special treat every so often. No fries, just the chicken and sauce, and a big Dr Pepper.”
When you came to Texas A&M, was it your first time to Texas?
“It was. I did a college tour and I visited Baylor, TCU, SMU and then I came down here. That was my unofficial visit, but once I was here, I knew I wanted to come here. It’s amazing. I don’t know why you wouldn’t want to come here. There’s not one thing about it that I don’t like.”
What is your favorite Aggie tradition?
“The Aggie Ring. I didn’t realize how much it would mean to me to get it. I kind of thought it was silly, but once I got it, I never take it off. I think it’s so special to have it, especially because classes are hard here, and I didn’t realize that until my sophomore and junior years. It means a lot more knowing that you put in all that hard work and knowing it paid off.”
