Baylor EQ: Get to Know Taylor Smith

Wed Jul 31 08:40:18 CDT 2024

BAYLOR ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS – July 31, 2024

EQ: Get to Know Taylor Smith
Get to Know Baylor’s Equestrian Student-Athletes

For more information contact: Brent Ingram; 210-845-8651, brent_ingram at baylor.edu<mailto:brent_ingram at baylor.edu>

Editor’s Note: This is the ninth of a Summer series allowing the Baylor fans to get to know some of the elite student-athletes from the equestrian team on BaylorBears.com.

A native of College Station, Texas, Taylor Smith is entering her second year with the Bears after prepping at A&M Consolidated High School. A member of the 2024 Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team, Smith competed in a pair of exhibition rides as a freshman, with each coming against No. 1 TCU.

At what age did you begin competing in equestrian events?

Taylor Smith: I got my first competitive horse at 7 but my love for horses started when I had my first birthday party at a barn where everyone got to ride horses.

Why did you start competing in equestrian?

TS: My mom grew up horse showing and when I got my first horse I fell in love with the sport.

What is your earliest memory of riding?

TS: At my first birthday party. There are several pictures of my friends and I riding horses. I had on pink boots, which I still have sitting in my room today.

Who is your inspiration in sports and why?

TS: My inspiration is my trainer, Jennifer McGrath. She is constantly pushing me to the best of my ability and sees the potential in me. Ms. Jennifer is so knowledgeable about the collegiate industry and she inspires me to learn more and push myself every day.

Who is a current/former collegiate or professional athlete whom you admire and why?

TS: I admire former athlete Alessandra Fratessa (formally) Burkett (currently). Our moms were super close growing up and Ali always gave me super helpful riding tips and guided me throughout the recruitment process; I would consider Ali an older sister to me. Ali competed for Auburn on the horsemanship and reining team and won several rings during her time at Auburn.

What family members have made the biggest impact on your life and why?

TS: Robert Young (step dad), Hayley Young (mom), Samantha Smith (sister, age 16), Laynie Smith (sister, age 13). My mom got me into horse showing, which has made a huge impact on my show career. She understands the sport and we work really good as a team. My Papa (Robert) has invested so much time and money into understanding this sport and I can proudly say he is one of the best horse show dads around. I would not be where I am today without my selfless parents and my sisters who have sat through many horseshows.

What are your strengths in your discipline? What are the areas you are currently trying to work on the most?

TS: Strengths - I analyze everything - in a sport like equestrian I feel like you have to really read the horse you are riding in order to understand how you are going to plus each maneuver. I will not stop analyzing something until I have it figured out. Working on - I am currently working on adapting to each horse quickly. With our sport we have to be able to read a horse in a short four minutes. Coming in as a freshman, that is something that is very different from the normal horse show world, where all we had to do was show our one horse.

Why did you decide to attend Baylor?

TS: Choosing Baylor came with A LOT of prayer. I was honestly really stuck between a couple of schools. Once I asked God to show me a sign the horsemanship coach at the time, Abbi Demel, texted me and said “It’s a sign, the barista at Dutch Bros was making my drink said they knew you and that you looking at the team here”. I chose to trust God and listen to his clear sign he gave me.

What is your academic major and why did you select that major?

TS: I am Pre-Business right now but planning to declare as a marketing major next year. I chose this major because all throughout high school I was on the Yearbook staff and was blessed to serve as Editor in Chief my senior year. With that role, I learned my loved for “marketing” things to the public eye.

What are your career goals and why do you have an interest in pursuing that particular career?

TS: I am not exactly sure what I want my final job to be but I want to do something in the marketing field and get my real estate licenses as my side job.

Have there been any big obstacles that you have had to overcome in your life? How did you overcome them and how did that experience help shape you?

TS: My parents got a divorce when I was 10 years old. This was a turning point in my life because I realized life is not perfect. However, when my mom, sisters, and I moved to Salado, Texas, I learned who Jesus was. I had no horses, which at the time was my identity. I found my identity in Jesus and my life has been changed ever since.

What do you enjoy doing outside of equestrian and school?

TS: I enjoy going to church, country concerts, and babysitting.

What is something most people might not know about you?

TS:

-              I have a list of random inventions

-              My favorite color is light blue

-              My favorite song is Travelin’ Soldier by Cody Johnson

-              I lived in Salado, Texas, for 1 year

-              I grew up on a farm

What would you most like to be known for as a Baylor student-athlete?

TS: My love for Jesus

What advice would you give to a young girl who would like to one day be in your shoes?

TS: My biggest advice would be to never give up on your dream. If your dream seems unachievable, work harder.

- BaylorBears.com -

--
Brent Ingram | Assistant AD for Communications
Men’s Tennis Sport Program Administrator
Department of Athletics | Baylor University
C: 210-845-8651

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