By Kelsey Appleton
Texas A&M equestrian senior Laura Sumrall won the 2015 world championship freestyle title at the Kentucky Reining Cup with her “Frozen”-inspired performance April 25.
The Summit, Miss., native performed the routine for the first time in Kentucky, just one week removed from the end of the 2014-15 collegiate equestrian season.
“This was the first time I had done this routine,” Sumrall said. “We came up with it pretty quickly after we got the invitation to compete at the Kentucky Reining Cup. 'Frozen' came together pretty quickly. I’m at school at Texas A&M, so I wasn’t in the same place as my horse, so practicing was a little challenging. I set out a pattern and ran it on a couple of different horses. It was really fun to put together … definitely a group effort: my mom came up with the concept and did all the handiwork on my costume.”
The senior finished the spring as one of the most highly decorated riders on the team, earning second team NCEA All-America honors as well as a place on the All-SEC and SEC All-Championship teams. Her 12-3 record led the team in victories and gave Sumrall double-digit victories in consecutive seasons.
Sumrall’s success in the classroom has been just as prolific as her success in the arena. She is a three-time Texas A&M scholar athlete, having earned three NCEA academic honors and a two-time member of the SEC Honor Roll.
“I am very proud of Laura for her leadership and her success,” said head coach Tana McKay. “She has been a great influence on this team.”
Texas A&M equestrian senior Laura Sumrall won the 2015 world championship freestyle title at the Kentucky Reining Cup with her “Frozen”-inspired performance April 25.
The Summit, Miss., native performed the routine for the first time in Kentucky, just one week removed from the end of the 2014-15 collegiate equestrian season.
“This was the first time I had done this routine,” Sumrall said. “We came up with it pretty quickly after we got the invitation to compete at the Kentucky Reining Cup. 'Frozen' came together pretty quickly. I’m at school at Texas A&M, so I wasn’t in the same place as my horse, so practicing was a little challenging. I set out a pattern and ran it on a couple of different horses. It was really fun to put together … definitely a group effort: my mom came up with the concept and did all the handiwork on my costume.”
The senior finished the spring as one of the most highly decorated riders on the team, earning second team NCEA All-America honors as well as a place on the All-SEC and SEC All-Championship teams. Her 12-3 record led the team in victories and gave Sumrall double-digit victories in consecutive seasons.
Sumrall’s success in the classroom has been just as prolific as her success in the arena. She is a three-time Texas A&M scholar athlete, having earned three NCEA academic honors and a two-time member of the SEC Honor Roll.
“I am very proud of Laura for her leadership and her success,” said head coach Tana McKay. “She has been a great influence on this team.”
