Congratulations Keaton Crawford and Kara Vickery on Signing With SMU Mustangs!

DALLAS (SMU) – SMU Equestrian head coach Carol Gwin is pleased to announce that seven riders have signed National Letters of Intent, four hunt seat riders and three western riders. Joining the Mustangs for the 2016-17 season will be Mary Elizabeth Cordia (H), Keaton Crawford (W), Carly Crossfield (H), Ailish Cunniffe (H), Holly Lansidel (W), Kara Vickery (W), and Vivian Yowan (H).

“This is a very talented group that we signed this fall,” said Gwin. “They excel in both the ring and in the classroom and I believe they will add depth to the equestrian program and represent SMU well.”

Mary Elizabeth Cordia comes to SMU from Alexandria, Virginia where she will join the hunt seat team. The Alexandria-native has a highly decorated competition resume, highlighted by victories at the WIHS Children’s Jumper Reserve Championship and the Inaugural Laura Picket Award, earning the bronze medal at the ASPCA Maclay regionals and placing 11th at the USEF Medal Finals in 2015. Outside of equestrian, she attends St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School where she is the yearbook editor, school vestry leader and has made the head and dean’s list all four years. While at SMU, she plans on majoring in geology and photography.

“We are excited for Mary Elizabeth to join us,” said assistant hunt seat coach Megan Southam. “She has been extremely competitive as a junior and has all the qualities to be a successful student-athlete at SMU.”

Keaton Crawford is a western rider who focuses primarily on horsemanship. Along with multiple top-10 finishes at youth world shows, the Golden, Colorado, native is a two-time NSBA World Champion and NSBA Horsemanship Stakes Champion. Crawford started competing in open and 4H shows at the age of 5-years-old, before competing in the AQHA at the age of 12. She trains under the instruction of Jim and Deanna Searles. While at SMU, she plans on majoring in management focusing on entrepreneurship.

“Keaton is going to add huge depth to our horsemanship side,” said western coach Trista Adkins. “She is familiar with champion status. I know she will be a huge asset to our team and be able to lead us to the championship circle.”

Carolina “Carly” Crossfield of Westport, Connecticut will join the Mustang hunt seat team as an equitation over fences rider. Training at Norfield Stables LLC under Walter Kees, Chris Cawley, and Molly Ashe-Cawley, Crossfield’s riding resume presents many top-five finishes, including first place finishes at ASPCA Maclay and the WIHS Jumper Phase, along with a third place finish in the Pessoa U.S. Hunter Seat Medal. Outside of competition, Crossfield was a student ambassador and a part of the SafeRides program. While at SMU, she plans on majoring in business.

“We can’t wait to welcome Carly to the Hilltop,” said Southam. “She is an enthusiastic and fun young woman who has excelled both in the show ring and the classroom.”

Elizabeth “Ailish” Cunniffe makes her way to the Hilltop from Greenwich, Connecticut where she attends Convent of the Sacred Heart. The South Salem, New York, native is a hunt seat jumper and has earned many top honors including a sixth place finish at the Maclay finals, a seventh place finish at the USET Finals, a 10th place finish at Medal Finals, and a ninth place finish at USEF Young Rider Championships. Ailish started riding at 6-years-old and trains under her parents, Frank and Bonnie, whom are both professional equestrian riders. While at SMU, she plans on majoring in business.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ailish to the Mustang family,” said Southam. “She has been a dominate presence in the equitation, hunter and jumper rings. She had an incredible fall campaign finishing in the top-ten at Medal and Maclay Finals.”

Holly Lansidel is a western rider who focuses primarily on reining. The Roy, Washington, native started competing at 8-years-old under and is currently under the instruction of her mother, Kim. Lansidel attends Yelm High School, in Yelm, Washington, where she played four years of varsity soccer and is a member of the National Honor Society. Once at SMU, her anticipated major is applied physiology and health management.

“Holly, in my opinion, is one of the most talented reining kids of her age,” said Adkins. “With her ability and skills, she will only add more depth and success to our already talented reining side and help propel SMU above the rest.”

Kara Vickery makes her way south to Dallas from Sanger High School in Sanger, Texas. The Whitesboro, Texas, native started competing at the age of 14 and will join the western team focusing primarily on horsemanship. During high school, Vickery was a member of the FFA and UIL. Once at SMU, she anticipates majoring in psychology.

“Kara comes from a family of top horseman in our industry,” said Adkins. ”She knows what kind of dedication it takes to be a champion. She will be a great addition to the Mustang family and I’m very excited to have her on our team.”

Vivian Yowan of Darien, Connecticut is a hunt seat rider who focuses primarily on equitation over fences. Yowan, who trains under Tim and Kelly Goguen, has earned many top honors, highlighted by the Individual Gold Medal at the 2015 North American Junior Young Rider Championships, being named the Grand Junior Hunter Champion at the 2015 Capital Challenge Horse Show, and winning the World Championship Hunter Rider National Junior Champion honor in 2014. The Connecticut-native also earned many team honors including the team gold at the 2013 Prix de States and the team silver medal at the 2014 and 2015 North American Junior Young Rider Championships.

“Vivian brings a wealth of experience in the equitation, hunters and jumpers to the team,” said Southam. “She is also a dedicated student and will be a huge asset to the team. We can’t wait for her to join us in the fall.”

The SMU equestrian team will host the Fresno State Bulldogs, Sat., Feb. 6. It will be the final home meet of the season. It is slated for 10 a.m. with senior day ceremonies scheduled before the meet.