Carolyn Day and Rachel Lucht, students in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University, helped the Texas A&M equestrian team rise to the No. 1 spot within the National Collegiate Equestrian Association, a ranking the Aggies haven’t held since September 2012.
Day, a fifth-year student knew being on equestrian team was the best way for her to continue riding horses throughout college. She said that with A&M having the best engineering program out of any school with an NCAA Equestrian team, she knew A&M would be the best place for her to get the combination of academics and athletics she desired.
“Being a student athlete has been challenging, but worth it,” Day said. “There is nothing quite like the thrill of walking out of the arena after a great ride, knowing that you defended your team and Texas A&M. I grew as a rider and a person through my involvement on the equestrian team, and made amazing memories with an outstanding group of girls.”
Lucht, a senior in the department, was born and raised in the College Station, Texas. Having grown up in a 
neighborhood where horses outnumbered the residents and Aggie pride was instilled in all members of the community, joining the equestrian team at Texas A&M was a no-brainer for the mechanical engineering student.
“Being on the equestrian team gives me the opportunity to travel, meet new people and ride different types of horses all over the nation,” Lucht said. “Being an athlete, the free time that a normal student has is used for practice, meetings, workouts, travel, competition, etc. Time management is essential to being successful in both athletics and academics. Luckily, we have a great support system in friends, coaches, advisers and peers who are always willing to help us succeed.”
For Day and Lucht, the ranking acts as validation for the team’s hard work, dedication, perseverance and determination to take Texas A&M equestrian to the top spot.