At both 1985 and 1987 IHSA Nationals Heide Bossow (center) won the Cacchione Cup. Under her married name of Heide Bossow - Casciaro the 1988 Hollins graduate was one of two hunter seat judges at 2026 IHSA Nationals. And on May 3rd Alex Alston of Savannah College of Art & Design (on left) won the Cacchione Cup for the second year in a row. This marked only the fourth time to date that someone has won the Cacchione Cup more than once. Alston joins Bossow - Casiaro, 1983 University of Virginia graduate CeCe Williamson and 1991 Stony Brook University graduate Kelly Mullen as multi-year champions. IHSA founder Bob Cacchione (on right), who named the cup for his Father Mario Cacchione, is on the right.

SCAD, WTAMU TAKE 2026 IHSA TEAM TITLES; PEARSON TAKES TOP WESTERN OPEN RIDER HONORS WHILE ALSTON REPEATS AS TOP HUNTER SEAT OPEN RIDER

MILL SPRING, NC - When I was growing up in Central New Jersey I often went to Princeton University home football games with my father. He was a professor there, as well as a season ticket holder. However once he retired my father became indifferent to attending the games in person, or at least most of the game. In the latter half of the 1980's I would walk to the games by myself and sit in the same seats (my father would renew the tickets every year). On a few occasions I would see the game in its entirety by myself, but more often than not my father would show up either late in the third quarter or for the start of the fourth quarter. After one of the games in which he showed up for only the last 15 minutes I asked, "Why do you only show up when the game is three-quarters completed?"

"It's how the game ends that matters the most" was his response.

While my father said this tounge-in-cheek he could have said it with total accuracy when referring to 2026 IHSA Nationals. The third and final day of the three-day show saw the eventual English and Western National Champions go undefeated in their team classes while the top hunter seat and western open riders clinched blue ribbons as well.

Alex Alston of Savannah College of Art & Design had a field day on May 3rd, winning both team open fences and team open flat while claiming first place in the Cacchione Cup Competition in between. With the unique scoring system for IHSA Nationals this meant ten points per team ride in which someone places first. Peter Cavagnac, a teammate of Alston's won team intermediate flat to give SCAD 30 team points out of a possible 30. Trailing Centenary University by two and Skidmore College by one starting the day, the Bees went from 31 points through the first five team classes to an IHSA Nationals all-time record 61, more than enough to edge Skidmore by 14 points to claim their fifth hunter seat National Title in program history. SCAD broke their own record of 59 points set two seasons ago when the Bees were also the high point hunter seat team.

Mississippi State University not only won their region for Western for the first time in program history the Bulldogs also advanced that Western Team through Semifinals to Nationals. And after the first day of western team competition Mississippi State was leading! Makenzie Moore, a junior from Walnut Grove, Mississippi, is seen here on the horse after winning team open reining to close out the first day of IHSA competition. Along with a first for teammate Carrie Brigham in level II western horsemanship in the previous class the Bulldogs had 27 points out of a possible 30 through three team classes.

Five of the seven Western Team Classes were held over the first two days. On May 3rd West Texas A & M University riders won the final two team classes to elevate the Buffs into first while claiming their third Western National Championship in program history (one shared). Violet Hodgeson won team rookie western to put WTAMU within two points of the University of Findlay while Helene Keiser followed with a win in team open western horsemanship. The Buffs edged the Oilers 53-48 in their first season with former University of Nebraska at Lincoln head coach Lori Jaixen at the reins (pun intended).

At 2025 IHSA Nationals one of the major stories was Wilmington College advancing a full Western team to IHSA Nationals for the first time while ending Ohio State University's streak of 38 consecutive appearances at Nationals with a full Western team. While Wilmington did not have a full team entered in '26 their heralded open rider Maegan Pearson was best in a field of 15 riders to claim the individual western high point open rider blue ribbon. Pearson also won the individual open horsemanship while placing fourth in individual open reining.

In fact turnover was the big story of the IHSA Western regular season, at least in reference to the number of schools with a full Western team at Nationals in both 2025 and 2026. Five schools which had fielded a full Western team at 2025 Nationals (State University of New York at Oswego, Delaware Valley University, Midway University, Colby Community College and Wilmington) did not repeat as Region Champions. Another school, St. Andrews University, never showed IHSA in 2025-26 as the school officially closed their doors two days after 2025 Nationals. And one more school, St. Mary of the Woods College, was fifth at the Murray, Kentucky Semifinal. The Woodsies just missed sending a full Western team as they had done in '25. We are still checking the record books, but it appears that never before had more than half the field of Western teams at an IHSA Nationals event turned over from one season to the next. The seven schools who took their places were Alfred University, Penn State University, Miami University of Ohio (first time with a full Western team since 2006), Oregon State University, University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Clemson University and Mississippi State University, the latter of which qualified a full western team to Nationals for the first time.

Defending Western Champion Black Hawk College, the University of Findlay, Middle Tennessee State University, Albion College and West Texas A & M University were the five programs to field a full western team at both 2025 and 2026 Nationals. But after one day of team competition it was the newbie which had jumped out to the lead.

From the New York City borough of Staten Island, Tristan Chan of Centenary University (pictured) was second to Nate Biery of SCAD in team limit flat to start the hunter seat team scoring on May 1st. The next day teammate Taylor Ernst would win the first class of the day, team intermediate fences and after five team classes the Cyclones were in first place with 33 points.

After Chloe Joiner placed third in Team Level I in the first of three team classes on May 1st, teammates Carrie Brigham (in Team Level Ii) and Makenzie Moore (in Team Open Reining) won blue ribbons for Mississippi State. With 27 of a possible 30 points the Bulldogs finished the first day of Western competition with a five point lead on West Texas A & M and a nine point lead on Findlay.

Four team classes remained, with two each on May 2nd and 3rd. The first class on the 2nd tightened up the race. Breana Souders of Mississippi State was seventh in team ranch riding to raise the Bulldog's total to 30. Marina Carroll of WTAMU was eighth and Cassidy Fritz of Findlay was the team ranch riding champion. With this set of results Mississippi State was still ahead by a point 30-29 on the Buffs while the Oilers were suddenly only a point behind WTAMU with 28.

Following the rail phase of the individual AQHA high point rider competition the only other Western team class on May 2nd was team beginner. Findlay riders went undefeated in the May 2nd western team classes as Emma Weinberg was best in the field of 12. The Buffs picked up four points as Kaylen Langhofer was sixth. Meanwhile defending national champion Black Hawk went from 11 points on May 1st to 25 after five team classes to stay in mathematical contention. Elizabeth Ellis was second to Fritz in team ranch while Aryanne Encarnacion - Cox was fourth in team beginner for the Hawks. Findlay 38, WTAMU 33, Mississippi State 30, Black Hawk 25 and Clemson University 20.5 (thanks to a second for Anita Sharma in team beginner) were the top five after two days of competition.

After all the western individual classes had been placed team rookie western horsemanship was the sixth of seven team classes held. Findlay still had a 45-43 lead thanks to a third for Savannah Bishop in this division. But a short time later Keiser was the second WTAMU blue ribbon winner in as many classes. Rounding out the top five were Black Hawk (with 32 points), Mississippi State (with 30.5) and Middle Tennessee State (with 29.5). The Blue Raiders put at least a half point on the scoreboard in each of the seven classes, with senior Marci Leath placing highest with a second behind Keiser in team open western horsemanship.

The Buffs have now not only won three Western Team National Titles they have done so with three different head coaches. When WTAMU shared the title with Texas A & M University in 2003 Rebekah Bachman was the head coach. In 2013 Amanda Love (now Amanda Ellis) was at the helm and in 2026 Jaixen had the honor. It should be noted that Jaixen only took over the position midway through the 2025-26 season and the decision to re-locate to Canyon took a great deal of thought.

Seen here with her Father, Emma Weinberg of the University of Findlay told us that her hometown of Delaware, Ohio is the home of the "Little Brown Jug." The Little Brown Jug is a harness race for three-year-old pacing standardbred horses as well as the name of a song by big band leader Glenn Miller, who had many hits in the first half of the 20th century. The Oiler senior went out on top, winning team beginner western horsemanship on May 2nd. This put Findlay in first place in the western team standings through two days of competition.

"I call this a true 'Cinderella' story of sorts and very special," said Jaxien. "When my contract was not renewed at (Nebraska - Lincoln), (West Texas) reached out to me, asking me to consider coaching. I was very hesitant to make the move for many reasons, including moving away from my family and all my other responsibilities in Nebraska. For me, I believe this all was a bigger plan that I attribute to the Lord. As I did not get to WT until after the fall semester, it was quite a feat to learn a new team, 50 students to then end up winning the region both in western and hunter seat. It was truly special."

When asked if she had any special strategy ahead of Nationals Jaixen did not try to change anything that had worked up to that point. "In terms of strategy, I did not have anything specific other than having the riders trust their preparation, training and the process," said Jaixen (whose last name is pronounced almost the same as "Jackson"). That trust paid off as well as it can on May 3rd. While at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln for 16 seasons Jaixen did not win a National Championship, though two of her riders won the individual western high point open rider competition. In less than six months in Canyon Jaixen gave new meaning to the term "Fast Tracked" to the top of the standings.

While the Buffs were a surprise to many to come out on top of the Western team competiton the same was not necessarily true for the Bees. Having won the English team title in 2024 and having been in the top three each time over the previous three seasons SCAD was in the eyes of many THE team to beat heading into the 2026 IHSA Nationals hunter seat team competition. It is worth noting that Alston and Cavagnac had only finished below first a total of one time over the previous three Nationals events they had been entered in, with Alston still yet to lose a class through this year's finals.

When the 2026 Nationals hunter seat team competition kicked off with team limit flat at the end of the day on May 1st a newcommer to the SCAD roster gave the Bees the early lead. Nathaniel "Nate" Biery, a freshman from Seattle, Washington won the limit to record the first of five team blue ribbons for SCAD. Tristan Chan of Centenary was second while Carolina LaCosta of the University of Rhode Island was third. A growing trend in the IHSA has been the rising number of male riders on team rosters with each passing year this decade. The team limit class was the best example, with three other male riders besides Biery and Chan within the field of 16 participants.

SCAD entered male riders in six of the eight team classes, with Alexander "Alex" Miller kicking off day two with a fifth in team intermediate over fences. Biery then showed a second time, placing eighth in team limit fences. Meanwhile Centenary's Taylor Ernst won team intermediate fences (one day shy of a year after winning team limit fences) to put the Cyclones up 18-15 through two. Skidmore's Ian Gaudio was second to Ernst while Thoroughbred teammate Ani McIntyre was third in team limit fences to suddenly put Skidmore at 15 points.

Three West Texas A & M University open riders showed in at least one class at 2026 Nationals. Helene Keiser of the Buffs (pictured) showed the most often of the three. A senior from Gothenburg, Nebraska, Keiser was second in team open reining on May 1st, eighth in individual open reining on May 2nd and first in the final class of the entire show, team open western horsemanship on May 3rd. The last ribbon moved WTAMU into first place to make them the 2026 IHSA Nationals western champion team.

One of SCAD's two female riders would prevail in the fourth team class. Sophia Iglesias, a junior from Roanoke, Virginia turned in the second of five team blue ribbons in the team introductory equitation division. However the other two teams making it close also did well. Fiona Bukhman of Centenary was second while Nila Rothman of Skidmore was third. Madison Poulin was sixth in team novice equitation to bring the SCAD total to 31. However Jilyan Moorman of Centenary was third while Isa Washburne won team novice for Skidmore. This put Centenary back in front with 33, Skidmore in second with 32 (their only time leading the Bees over the weekend) and SCAD in third at the end of day two.

On day three (May 3rd on a traditional calendar) SCAD did what the Road Runner used to do to Wyle E. Coyote in cartoons from the mid-20th century. The Road Runner would let the Coyote get close, then suddenly run ahead so fast that the road underneath the Road Runner's feet would pop up in the air as he turned into a blur heading off into the distance. Alston won team open fences with a judge's score of '90.' Skidmore's Isa Jensen put five points on the board to keep the Thoroughbreds within four. After the work-off phase of the Cacchione Cup resulted in another blue ribbon for Alston, Cavagnac won team intermediate flat. A junior from Amherst, Massachusetts, Cavagnac boosted the Bee's total to 51. Ernst, a junior from Grand Gorge, New York nearly won twice for the Cyclones but was second to raise the Hackettstown, New Jersey school's total to 41. McIntyre was fourth for the Thoroughbreds, which with 43 still had a mathematical chance at an outright title.

But Alston would keep his undefeated Nationals win streak intact. From New Albany, Ohio Alston was the team open flat champion to make it eleven blue ribbons in eleven IHSA Nationals classes. Skidmore's Jensen was sixth while Aislinn Bermingham of Centenary was seventh, meaning no change for second and third overall. The University of Lynchburg earned 20 of their 28 points over the final three classes to claim fourth place. Amaya Bellfield, a freshman from Boulder, Colorado, earned 15 of those 20 points with a second in team open fences and a third in team open flat. Otterbein University scored at least one point in each of the eight team classes, with 14 of their 27 points coming in the final three classes. Open rider Emma Linton earned 12 of those points, and her second in team open flat was the Cardinal's only top four team ribbon. Following Otterbein in fifth was Long Island University, holding down sixth place with 23 points. The Sharks managed a pair of seconds, as Lola Saunders (in team limit fences) and Jenna Choinski (in team novice equitation) led the way with their red ribbons. Long Island University (specifically their Post campus, which was previously known as C.W. Post College) was one of the big stories of the IHSA regular season. The Sharks edged out Sacred Heart University in the Zone 2, Region 4 team standings by two points to keep the two-time defending Reserve National Champions from taking a full hunter seat team to the post-season.

Seen here with "Franco" whom she rode in individual open over fences, Amaya Bellfield of the University of Lynchburg competed in four classes at 2026 IHSA Nationals and managed to earn a first, a second, a third and a fourth! The freshman from Boulder, Colorado was fourth in the Cacchione Cup, third in team open on the flat, second in team open over fences and a blue ribbon winner in individual open over fences which was the first class to go on May 1st.

Andruskiewicz lives up to his trainer's prediction: The only rider to win a hunter seat team class not yet mentioned is Cameron Andruskiewicz of Goucher College. A freshman from Norwich, Connecticut, Andruskiewicz grew up training at Hunter Ridge, the facility in Ashaway, Rhode Island operated by University of Rhode Island head coach Wendy Brayman. During the Holiday Tournament of Champions invitational at Centenary University in December, Brayman predicted that Andruskiewicz (who calls himself "Cameron AZ" on social media where he has quite a following) would win a class at IHSA Nationals come May. And sure enough Cam Az was champion in the team limit fences.

Andruskiewicz had previously scored 12 team points for Goucher at Zone 4 Zones on April 4th, which helped the Gophers go forward by a single point to IHSA Nationals for the first time in three years. While there was not as much turnover regarding schools with full hunter seat teams at Nationals when compaired with the western group there were five schools which had not fielded a full team at the 2025 year-end event. The University of Rhode Island won a tiebreaker at Zone 1 Zones to claim high point team honors over Mount Holyoke College one year after losing a tiebreaker for second to Northeastern University. Colorado State University was second to Stanford University at Zone 8 Zones to advance a full hunter seat team to Nationals for the first time since 2018. The University of Wisconsin at Madison was second to Purdue University at Zone 7 Zones which meant a trip to Nationals with a full hunter seat team for the Badgers after missing out in '24 and '25. Goucher and Long Island University round out the five who joined Mount Holyoke, Skidmore, Centenary, Delaware Valley University, Lynchburg, Berry College, Otterbein, Miami University of Ohio, Stanford, defending champion Purdue University and new champion SCAD for the field of 16 English teams.

An above average "Average": The 2026 Cacchione Cup Competition started on May 2nd with the over fences phase. It is hard to believe how much Alex Alston improved from one season to the next in the Cacchione. In 2025 Alston was the seventh of 24 riders to navigate the fences, turning in a combined Judge's score of "85" which was the fourth-best jumping score. This time Alston was thirteenth in the order of go, and his combined Judge's score was a "92." It was one of the most dominant over fences ride this writer has ever seen, so much so that it spoiled the rest of the class as Alston made it look as if he had been riding "Tuck" (a Sewanee horse) for years. It brought back memories of 2006 Nationals, when Sarah Willemon of Stanford won four of the five open classes while also making the Cacchione rounds look easy. The closest over fences score to Alston this time belonged to Lynchburg's Bellfield, with an "87."

As usual the flat phase was divided into two sections of twelve riders each. With nothing placed at the time everyone began the waiting game of when the flat scores would be posted and how many riders would be called back for the work-off the next day. Hours later the scores for all riders both on the flat and over fences were posted. Alston received a flat score of "88" which was also the best among those walking, trotting and cantering in each direction. It is not clear if Alston's average of "90" for the two rounds is an all-time record but no one seems to have proof of anything better! Six other riders made the cut-off to ride in the work-off on May 3rd: Bellfield, who had an "87" score in each phase; Emma Sameth of Sewanee, who was also very consistant in both phases ("86" over fences and "86.5" on the flat); Harper Eskey of St. Lawrence University, who like Alston was one of the few riders in the building to have competed at each of the previous three IHSA Nationals and the only one to have competed in the previous three Cacchione Cup Competitions (an "84.5" over fences and an "84.25" on the flat); Linton of Otterbein, who was only fractionally behind Eskey (an "84" over fences and an "84.5" on the flat); Eva Froio of Centenary University, a transfer from Sacred Heart who was participating in an IHSA Nationals event for the first time (an "85" over fences and an "82" on the flat); and Natalia Onisko of the University of Delaware, another rider who had competed at each of the three previous Nationals events. Onisko won individual open on the flat on day one of 2026 Nationals nearly a year to the day after winning individual intermediate over fences at '25 Nationals (an "81" over fences and an 85.5 on the flat).

After the work-off on May 3rd it was apparent that there would be a few who moved up and a few who moved down, but it looked safe that Alston would hold the top spot. The results were announced from tenth to first, with Laura Jun of the University of Southern California (tenth), Nada Soueidan of Emory & Henry University (ninth) and Madison Frankel of Long Island University - Post (eighth) learning the night before that they would not take part in the work-off but would need to get dressed back up for the awards presentation. Then the following names were called in this order: Onisko, Linton, Eskey, Bellfield, Froio, Sameth and finally Alston. The SCAD standout had ridden "Tuck" and "Carlson" from Sewanee, "Avitar" from Miami of Ohio and "Bon Bon" who he probably knew about since SCAD brought that particular horse. Alston would win team open flat on "Luca" provided by Lynchburg later that day, tieing him with Linton for use of the most horses for hunter seat at 2026 Nationals. But far more memorable was Alston becoming the first person to win the Cacchione Cup in consecutive seasons since CeCe Williamson of the University of Virginia did so three years in a row from 1981 through 1983. Alston is also only the fourth person in IHSA history to win the Cup more than once, as Kelly Mullen of Stony Brook University (in 1988 and 1991) and Heide Bossow of Hollins College as it was known at the time (in 1985 and 1987) round out the list. In a karmic coincidence, Bossow (now known by her married name of Heide Bossow - Casciaro) was one of the two Hunter Seat judges at 2026 Nationals. Kat Demas Mulkey and Bossow - Casciaro selected Alston first throughout the weekend without knowing the historical significance the win in the Cacchione would create.

As a member of Zone 2 she was eighth in the individual Western High Point Rider Competition at 2025 IHSA Nationals. Perhaps moving back into Zone 6 where she had been prior to one season in 2 helped Maegan Pearson of Wilmington College. From Laurel, Indiana, Pearson (on horse) concluded her senior year by going out on top in the Western High Point, making her the top IHSA Western rider nationwide in 2025-26.

While the Cacchione Cup is named for Mario "Marty" Cacchione whose son Bob founded the IHSA the western award given to the top rider in that discipline is (so far) not named for anyone in particular. It is simply called the "Western High Point Rider" trophy (though Campus Equestrian adds the word 'individual' in front of the name as not to confuse anyone that it is in some way a team class), and as has been the case in recent seasons features fifteen riders who led their regions in combined open reining and rail points and who also survived a similar two-phased event at each of the three Semifinals shows.

At recent Nationals events the Horsemanship phase takes place first, on day two of the three day event. At one time the Reining phase took place first, and the Reining scores would be posted later that day. It is not clear to this writer if the scores for the rail phase were posted near those of the Cacchione (they probably were). In any event this competition was placed after all the western classes had concluded on day three prior to announcing the team awards. As is customary at Nationals the results of each class are read aloud over the public address system from tenth back to first. Alicia Smoot of Delaware Valley University was tenth and would later learn she was reserve champion for the Versatility Award (given to a rider who shows both English and Western at the same IHSA Nationals event). Samantha Smit of Alfred University was ninth, having helped the Saxons to their fifteenth consecutive Western region title. Ciera Wolff of Cornell claimed eighth place, helping the Big Red to their first-ever Western region title in program history (Cornell outscored the likes of Morrisville State College and S.U.N.Y. - Oswego to accomplish this). Seventh went to Peyton Podmolik of West Texas A & M University, who finished ahead of teammate Keiser in the Zone 7, Region 2 Western Open Rider Standings (Keiser was fifth in the High Point Western class at '25 Nationals). Hannah Strong was the first North Dakota State University rider since Michaela Long in 2022 to advance to the finals in the high point, taking sixth place. Samantha Johnson of Clemson University was fifth. Johnson helped the Tigers win their first Western region title since 2017 and their first as a member of Zone 4. Fourth place went to Madelyn Nevels of the College of the Sequoias. As recently as two seasons ago multiple coaches in Zone 8, Region 1 (where COTS is located) claimed this region is the fifth-largest for Western in the entire IHSA. Leath of MTSU (who was assigned the lucky number 111 by chance) was third. Surprisingly only Leath, Johnson and Smit within the top ten also could say they competed in a team class at 2026 Nationals. The Reserve Champion was Lili Evans of Mount Holyoke College. The senior from Groton, Massachusetts came close to having the rare IHSA Nationals conflict of needing to be in two places at the same time. Evans was not only in the second group of Open Reining riders on May 3rd she was also the Lyons' team open flat rider on the other side of the building in the final hunter seat class of the weekend. It all worked out (the reining ride was finished in time to change and show hunter seat) and in the end Evans was even declared champion for the Versatility award.

Last season Maegan Pearson of Wilmington College received a great deal of attention as did the entire Wilmington team for having ended Ohio State University's long run of Region Titles (dating back to 1987). The Quakers outscored the Buckeyes by almost 20 points in 2024-25 and advanced a full team to Nationals for the first time. It should be noted this was the only season that both Wilmington and Ohio State were moved from Zone 6 to Zone 2, and that both schools were moved back to Zone 6 this season (Ohio State and Wilmington were in different regions in 2025-26). While Wilmington did not repeat as a region champion this season (Miami of Ohio was able to outscore both Midway University and the Quakers for the top spot in Zone 6, Region 3 or Area 6.3) Pearson was perhaps the most dominant open rider at 2026 Nationals. As previously mentioned the senior from Laurel, Indiana was fourth in individual open reining, a blue ribbon winner in individual open western horsemanship and the Grand Champion of the individual High Point Open Rider competition.

We thought we had not photographed Carly Akins of Miami University of Ohio but in fact we had taken her picture chatting with Tricia Booker of In Stride Magazine. The official magazine of the United States Hunter Jumper Association, Booker has been their IHSA corespondent at Nationals for well over a decade. Booker interviewed Akins (on right, a sophomore from Akron, Ohio) following her first place showing aboard "Houdini" (a Centenary University horse) in individual novice equitation.

While Alston and Pearson were the top English and Western riders, respectively, within the IHSA for the 2025-26 season there were also the riders who were the best in their particular divisions. The College of Charleston could claim two such individuals, as Meredith Miramonti won the individual limit flat on May 1st whlie teammate Maggie Armes earned the blue ribbon in individual introductory equitation on May 2nd. Victoria Panasiuk of Albion College won the individual intermediate over fences division in her next-to-last semester. Though only a sophomore Panasiuk will graduate in only two and a half years. Annabelle Gitterman of St. Lawrence University was the individual intermediate flat champion while Carly Akins of Miami University of Ohio was champion of the individual novice equitation division. SCAD's Cavagnac was first in the individual limit over fences two days ahead of his team heroics. University of Delaware's Onisko prevailed in individual open on the flat and Lynchburg's Bellfield started the entire event with a first in individual open over fences.

Riders in Zones 5 and 6 claimed all the Western individual classes, with the University of Findlay claiming two of them. Addison Schliesser of the Oilers won the individual level II western horsemanship class (which was sandwiched between the 'A' and 'B' sections of the individual high point reining on May 3rd) while teammate Hayley Mertz won the individual open reining. After Victoria Brandt of Miami of Ohio scored the Red Hawks' first team point at a Nationals event in 20 years with a ninth in team level I western on May 1st she won the individual rookie horsemanship division outright on May 2nd. While Mississippi State had a full western team at Nationals for the first time their individual beginner western rider Hayley Pettus won the individual beginner western division for the Bulldogs right before Brigham became the first Bulldog to win a Nationals western team class a few minutes later. Middle Tennessee State's Faith Dady was the individual ranch riding champion in the first western class of the event while teammate Keira Wagner won individual level I the next day. Pearson won the individual open western class as previously stated.

More Western Team Stuff: We would be remiss if we did not mention that Alyssa McPhersen of Albion College won team level I western horsemanship on May 1st, which gave the Britons the lead in the Western team competition through one class.

More Alston: Though Alston is associated with the SCAD program his introduction to the horseworld was actually through a summer camp where his instructor was Otterbein University co-coach Lindsay Yinger. Still in elementary school at the time, Alston was beyond dedicated, wanting to ride as many horses as possible and as often as he could according to Yinger. Alston continued to ride with Yinger for nearly a decade before heading off to SCAD, and Yinger sometimes will take out her cell phone to produce photos of the now two-time Cacchione Cup champion as he progressed from being a beginner straight through to his productive teenage years prior to his college career.

Even more Alston: Alston officially started competing in IHSA shows as a second semester freshman, in time to compete in two classes at 2023 IHSA Nationals in Lexington, Kentucky. Because of this Alston now has one semester of IHSA eligibility remaining. It is not yet clear if Alston will compete for SCAD in the fall of 2026 or spring of 2027, though if it turns out to be the latter he could become one of the few IHSA riders ever to compete in team classes at five IHSA Nationals events as an undergraduate.

At IHSA Nationals there is a rather large marketplace with many vendors selling everything from apparel to horse treats to roasted peanuts. And standing in that marketplace is Isa Washburne of Skidmore College. A freshman from New York City, Washburne's first in team novice equitation on May 2nd put Skidmore in second place with three hunter seat team classes to go. The Thoroughbreds would hold that position to claim Reserve Champion Team Honors.

Hall of Fame induction: Prior to the start of 2026 Nationals there was what is now the annual Hall of Fame ceremony. Anne Brzezicki, the long-time head coach of Middle Tennessee State University who also helped launch the IHSA in that part of the south received a special salute from the current group of MTSU students. Members of the team wore T-Shirts that spelled out A-N-N-E B-R-Z-E-Z-I-C-K-I on the front and G-O B-L-U-E R-A-I-D-E-R-S on the back. Brzezicki even joined in the fun, standing between her first and last name for photos. Brzezicki was one of six people inducted into the hall. Another inductee was Duncan Peters, who in 1972 became the first person ever to win the Cacchione Cup. Peters and Brzezicki, who was known as Anne Mather as an undergraduate, were teammates on the University of Connecticut team that same season. Days before the 1971-72 season started the Huskies head coach stepped down to pursue other opportunities and it came to pass that the UConn team was allowed to coach themselves! Keep in mind the IHSA was much smaller then, made up of only one region which stretched from the Philadelphia suburbs to the Boston area. By virtue of earning the most points in that one region UConn was the official champion team! Another former IHSA coach with New England roots to be inducted was Phyllis Cervelli. The head coach of Boston University from the early 1990's until 2025, Cervelli won seven region titles with the Terriers and took a full hunter seat team to Nationals in 1992 and 2018. Her sister Patti Harnois was on hand (known in their youth as Phyllis and Patti Whiteley) and both are now frequent IHSA horse show judges. Heide Bossow - Casciaro, who clarified that she was first then fourth then first then fourth in the Cacchione Cup classes between 1985 and 1988, was not only one of the judges but also a Hall of Fame inductee. Richard Oliver Griffith, known to everyone simply as Ollie Griffith, was inducted four seasons after retiring as the long-time co-coach of the Ohio State University Western team (though he will point out he started coaching Ohio State for hunter seat in 1984 or 1985 before starting the Buckeye's western team a year later). Ollie's record on the western side is second to none, with region titles every season from 1987 through 2022, appearances with a full western team at Nationals every season from 1987 through 2022, six individual high point rider wins (five people, as his son Austin Griffith won twice) and ten IHSA Nationals Western Champion Teams. Griffith also gives half the credit to his co-coach, which is also his wife Debbie. The sixth induction was posthumous, as long-time Sweet Briar College director of riding Paul Cronin rounded out the 2026 group. Along with Claiborne and Tom Bishop at the University of Virginia, Cronin was instrumental in bringing the IHSA to the state of Virginia in 1975. The IHSA grew to four regions for the 1975-76 season, and remarkably though none of these Virginia schools (which made up the entire region) had previously competed there were at least ten schools entered at the first show with at least half fielding a full point card. Paul's son David attended the ceremony along with current Sweet Briar director of riding Mimi Wroten. Besides these six human beings two horses were also welcomed to the hall of fame. "Monty," who was a Virginia Intermont College horse when that school won three IHSA hunter seat titles during the first decade of the century was joined by "Pepe" (proper name: Col Pepenator), a western horse which is associated with the State University of New York at Oswego program.

Along with the Hall of Fame ceremony there was also the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award. This year the winner was Bryan Bradley, known to some as the first male member of the Cazenovia College equestrian team when he enrolled in the fall of 1983 but known to the masses as a coach in Zone 3 since 1994. Bradley is mostly known for his time coaching the University of Delaware (1994-2013) and for that school's surprise win in the hunter seat team competition at 1997 IHSA Nationals (Campus Equestrian is working on a separate story on Bradley's career). Other things on the Bradley resume include his time as a Region President, a Zone Chair and his involvment with the IHSA being properly insured.

Another award to be presented was the Pioneer Award. While the Lifetime Achievement Award is for individuals who are members of the IHSA Executive Board at the time, the Pioneer Award is usually given to someone who was at one time involved with the IHSA as a rider, coach or board member (possibly all three). According to the 2026 Nationals show program the "IHSA Pioneer Award recognizes individuals who have been instrumental in developing collegiate riding." In 2026 the award was not given to someone who was an official member of the IHSA but rather to the annual "voice" of IHSA Nationals. That voice belongs to Kenn Marash, who not only has handled the vast majority of the Public Address announcing at IHSA Nationals since 1990 but also is nationally known for handling the same duties for the Maclay finals, Washington International, Devon, the Pennsylvainia National, the Capitol Challenge and shows at WEC - Ocala among others. While announcing at the New York State Fairgrounds' horse shows in the 1980's Marash met then-Cazenovia College head coach Naomi Blumenthal (who ran the shows at the Fairgrounds in Syracuse, New York). Blumenthal brought Marash aboard to announce at 1990 IHSA Nationals hosted by St. Lawrence University and the rest is history. Marash's abilty to hold the listener's attention is his greatest attribute, with the placings for the final team class for hunter seat at 2008 IHSA Nationals in Burbank, California being one of the highlights. Marash knew the results before the audience did, and he used the similar back numbers for the first and second place riders to add some drama. Six - count'em - six teams went into the final class with hopes of at least a share of the National Championshp. When it came down to the final two riders still awaiting their ribbons the one who was next to hear her name knew the other had delivered the high point team ribbon as well as earning a first in team open flat. Over the PA system at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center it sounded like this: "The Reserve Champion...Number...4......53 Suzanne Snyder of St. Lawrence University." This meant Snyder had raised the Saint's point total to 18, resulting in a tie for reserve high point team with Centenary. And moments later Marash added "And in first place, the team open flat champion, number 432 Callie Schott of the University of Kentucky." With a record-low "High" score of 21 points the University of Kentucky claimed their first - and to date only - IHSA hunter seat Team Championship. And Schott has since gone on to do some spectacular riding beyond four years in the IHSA, having just missed being a member of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team after being one of the ten finalists.

Also learned in the 2026 IHSA Nationals program was that Marash managed the Cornell University Polo Team as an undergraduate and as even handled play-by-play duties at Polo matches! Not mentioned in the program is Marash's love of music, and at times he was a disc jockey on the radio in Central New York State playing early 1960's folk music. Marash is also well versed in other music genres, and has played whatever music has been requested by the IHSA show organizers as the times changed over the years.

From Galena, Ohio, Otterbein University sophomore Emma Linton (on right) was the only hunter seat rider at 2026 IHSA Nationals to compete in five different clases. Co-coach Lindsay Yinger (on left) saw Linton mount up for both team open classes, both individual open classes and the Cacchione Cup. Linton's three best ribbons over the weekend were sixth in team open over fences, sixth in the Cacchione Cup and second in team open on the flat. Yinger saw the Cardinals score 27 points for fifth place in the hunter seat team competition while also seeing her one-time summer riding camp student Alex Alston win the Cacchione Cup for a second straight season.

One other award was given out prior to the start of classes on day three. The brand-new "Quiet Champion" award was presented to one hunter seat and one western rider which in each case was not entered in any of the post-season events. As explained in the 2026 IHSA Nationals program these riders may not get to compete as often as they might like but show up for themselves for their team and in their riding. Nominations were made by their coaches, and the submissions highlight specific examples of the rider's dedication and sportsmanship. A selection committee then reviews the nominations. The Quiet Champion awards have been made possible by B.J. Ehrhardt (who at the time of writing was engaged to Armand Leone, one of the famous Leone brothers), and she then makes the final selections.

While the eariler awards presentations on day one took place in the hunter seat arena the Quiet Champions received their awards at the in-gate of the western arena. Ehrhardt presented the hunter seat award to Hongyu "Milly" Chen of Mount Holyoke College. A junior from Nanjing, China who competes in the introductory division, Chen received high prase from Lyons team captain Charlie May within the Nationals program. May called Chen "an absolute rockstar," and "Endlessly positive and always willing to led a hand." Ehrhardt presented the western award to Ashton Hollingworth of West Texas A & M University. A senior from Fort Worth, Texas who rides in level II western, Hollingsworth made quite an impression on teammate and western co-captain Kaitlyn Evans. In the Nationals program Evans said that she has "...never met someone more dedicated than Ashton. From early mornings to late nights she was always there, taking sick teammates to the doctor, hand-making hair bows for every rider before Regionals, sewing and tailoring show clothes and even running our entire fundraiser horse show single-handedly."

Yet another first: While IHSA Nationals have been held at the same facility two years in a row on many occasions 2026 marked the first time ever that the year-end event was held in the same place three years in a row. Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, North Carolina welcomed the IHSA to their indoor yet again, and as it stands now the event will continue to be at Tryon in the foreseeable future. Many in attendance were approving of this, as the layout of the arenas and the proximity to bring the horses back and forth to the stalls has been one of the major benefits. Other pluses include ease of getting from the seating area to the arenas, the concessions and the parking. And many have settled into a routine with hotels and eateries which have made the place feel like home for a week.

--Steve Maxwell

The 2026 IHSA Nationals Class-by-Class Results, held at Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, North Carolina May 1st through 3rd. The Hunter Seat Judges were Kat Demas Mulkey and Heide Bossow - Casciaro while the Western Judges were Gretchen Mathes and Holly Hover.

Friday, May 1st:

Individual Open Equitation Over Fences: 1. Amaya Bellfield, University of Lynchburg. 2. Aislinn Bermingham, Centenary University. 3. Maddie Hawks, Colorado State University. 4. Emma Sameth, University of the South (Sewanee). 5. Hope Verschleiser, Goucher College. 6. Kylie Hwalek, Sacred Heart University. 7. Madison Moore, Florida State University. 8. Jaden Perry, St. Mary of the Woods College. 9. Kaitlyn Sheerahamed, Indiana University of Pennsylvania. 10. Emma Linton, Otterbein University.

Individual Intermediate Equitation Over Fences: 1. Victoria Panasiuk, Albion College. 2. Daisy Ballantine, Dickinson College. 3. Emma Hufford, Salve Regina University. 4. Cara Jensen, Florida State University. 5. Jane Podrazhansky, Auburn University. 6. Cadence Schneider, Marist University. 7. Zoe Foose, Duke University. 8. Emilie Harrison, Slippery Rock University. 9. Rylee Foster, Colorado State University. 10. Lauren Trexler, St. Lawrence University.

Individual Limit Equitation Over Fences: 1. Peter Cavagnac, Savannah College of Art & Design. 2. Isabella Ruisi, Sacred Heart University. 3. Isabella Quill, Penn State University (State College). 4. Cecilia Wong, Rochester Institute of Technology. 5. Zoe Meizlich, Miami University of Ohio. 6. Emmah Tait, Colorado State University. 7. Jess Kammeyer, University of California at Berkeley. 8. Taylor Ernst, Centenary University. 9. Jensen Farrow, Lake Erie College. 10. Katherine Nolan, University of Connecticut.

Individual Intermediate Equitation On The Flat: 1. Annabelle Gitterman, St. Lawrence University. 2. Sophie Miller, Lake Erie College. 3. Morgan Seibert, Stanford University. 4. Meghan Moore, Hollins University. 5. Sadie Parker, North Carolina State University. 6. Rachel Marino, Bloomsburg University. 7. Lillard Preschlack, Skidmore College. 8. Maye Stichter, Dickinson College. 9. Reese Dorsey, Midway University. 10. Rylee Foster, Colorado State University.

Individual Limit Equitation On The Flat: 1. Meredith Miramonti, College of Charleston. 2. Peter Cavagnac, Savannah College of Art & Design. 3. Margaret Elliott, James Madison University. 4. Paige Boggio, Centenary University. 5. Abigail Jarovsky, Northern Illinois University. 6. Janina Dubicki, Long Island University - Post Campus. 7. Paris Chang, Tufts University. 8. Natalie Nawa, Otterbein University. 9. Alexandra Woestman, West Texas A & M University. 10. Daisy Ballantine, Dickinson College.

Individual Open Equitation On The Flat: 1. Natalia Onisko, University of Delaware. 2. Laura Jun, University of Southern California. 3. Abby Talcott, Purdue University. 4. Harper Eskey, St. Lawrence University. 5. Abigail Shelchuk, Purdue University. 6. Willa Akins, Berry College. 7. Anna Szefc, Virginia Tech. 8. Emily Richardson, University of Rhode Island. 9. Rafi Wolf, Stanford University. 10. Sadie Swift, Sweet Briar College.

Individual Novice Equitation: 1. Carly Akins, Miami University of Ohio. 2. Kaitlyn Harper, University of Kentucky. 3. Elaine Nibbio, Mount Holyoke College. 4. Hudson Gauthier, University of Southern California. 5. Savannah Goodwin, Virginia Tech. 6. Stella Allen, Skidmore College. 7. Samantha Oakes, Centenary University. 8. Sophia Korovin Roxo, St. Lawrence University. 9. Aliyah Hardesty, Liberty University. 10. Lexie Stoebenau, Savannah College of Art & Design.

Team Limit Equitation On The Flat: 1. Nathaniel Biery, Savannah College of Art & Design. 2. Tristan Chan, Centenary University. 3. Carolina LaCosta, University of Rhode Island. 4. Abigail Giemza, Miami University of Ohio. 5. Maya Samlan, Otterbein University. 6. Adam Matejko, University of Lynchburg. 7. Camden Waldo, Berry College. 8. Cameron Andruskiewicz, Goucher College. 9. Katlin Theodores, Long Island University - Post Campus. 10. Amelia Parsons, Delaware Valley University.

Individual Ranch Riding: 1. Faith Dady, Middle Tennessee State University. 2. Gabrielle Olson, Black Hawk College. 3. Madison Weedon, Albion College. 4. Lexi Gann, Texas Tech University. 5. Haley Clithero, Murray State University. 6. Chloeye Smith, Virginia Tech. 7. Lauren Williams, Delaware Valley University. 8. Alexandra Beasley, Berry College. 9. Kairi Quinn, Colby Community College. 10. John Price, University of Findlay.

Team Level 1 Western Horsemanship: 1. Alyssa McPhersen, Albion College. 2. Ashlynn Albaugh, West Texas A & M University. 3. Chloe Joiner, Mississippi State University. 4. Adrianna Weygandt, University of Findlay. 5. Katelyn Clemens, Black Hawk College. 6. Emma Garrett, Oregon State University. 7. Katie - Lynn Meade, Middle Tennessee State University. 8. Lauren Mandel, Alfred University. 9. Victoria Brandt, Miami University of Ohio. 10. Anja Norcross, Clemson University.

Individual Open Western Horsemanship: 1. Maegan Pearson, Wilmington College. 2. Natalie Ruha, Mississippi State University. 3. Alicia Smoot, Delaware Valley University. 4. Lili Evans, Mount Holyoke College. 5. Tate Gill, Midway University. 6. Madison Weedon, Albion College. 7. Cassidy Fritz, University of Findlay. 8. Sophia Cheslock, Oregon State University. 9. Marisa Nelson, Colorado State University. 10. Kaitlyn Evans, West Texas A & M University.

Individual Beginner Western Horsemanship: 1. Hayley Pettus, Mississippi State University. 2. Bridgette Smith, Missouri State University. 3. Alessandra Rivera, Black Hawk College. 4. Zoe Roeher, University of Findlay. 5. Mckenzie Quinn, Stanford University. 6. Kyla Spruell, Tarleton State University. 7. Connor Hitchcock, University of Findlay. 8. Isabella Lumley, Middle Tennessee State University. 9. Flavia Gabaldon Asunsolo, New Mexico State University. 10. Rose Stanton, Albion College.

Team Level II Western Horsemanship: 1. Carrie Brigham, Mississippi State University. 2. Kaitlyn Purssord, Miami University of Ohio. 3. John Price, University of Findlay. 4. Charli Wells, West Texas A & M University. 5. Eleanor Bingham, Clemson University. 6. Emily Peluso, Alfred University. 7. Elizabeth Ellis, Black Hawk College. 8. Jacquelyn Wittler, Oregon State University. 9. Nina Stevenson, Penn State University (State College). 10. Keira Wagner, Middle Tennessee State University.

Team Open Reining: 1. Makenzie Moore, Mississippi State University 2. Helene Keiser, West Texas A & M University. 3. Samantha Johnson, Clemson University. 4. Sophia Cheslock, Oregon State University. 5. Tianna Cooper, University of Findlay. 6. Marci Leath, Middle Tennessee State University. 7. Gabrielle Olson, Black Hawk College. 8. Brooke Boyko, Alfred University. 9. Ella Rosloniec, Penn State University (State College). 10. Izzi Velinsky, University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

From left to right are head coach Ashley Henry, Alex Alston, Peter Cavagnac, Alex Miller, Madison Poulin, Sophia Iglesias, Nate Biery and assistant coach Sammy Perlman. Collectively they are Savannah College of Art & Design and they are the 2026 IHSA Nationals hunter seat champion team. And thanks to Alston winning the Cacchione Cup SCAD is the first English program to claim both the Cacchione champion and high point team honors since 2011 when Centenary University and their open rider Marissa Cohen both came out on top.

Saturday, May 2nd:

Team Intermediate Equitation Over Fences: 1. Taylor Ernst, Centenary University. 2. Ian Gaudio, Skidmore College. 3. Caroline Stanwood, Miami University of Ohio. 4. Ryan Floyd, University of Wisconsin at Madison. 5. Alexander Miller, Savannah College of Art & Design. 6. Tiara D'Amico, Delaware Valley University. 7. Lauren Dunnett, Purdue University. 8. Remy Guertin, University of Rhode Island. 9. Rachael Wingard, Otterbein University. 10. Emma Lorimer, Stanford University.

Team Limit Equitation Over Fences: 1. Cameron Andruskiewicz, Goucher College. 2. Lola Saunders, Long Island University - Post Campus. 3. Ani McIntyre, Skidmore College. 4. Madilyn Wynn, Berry College. 5. Grace Neumuth, Mount Holyoke College. 6. Jessica McElhaney, University of Lynchburg. 7. Annala Fricke, Miami University of Ohio. 8. Nathaniel Biery, Savannah College of Art & Design. 9. Natalie Nawa, Otterbein University. 10. Stephanie Biskobing, University of Wisconsin at Madison.

Individual Introductory Equitation: 1. Maggie Armes, College of Charleston. 2. Halle Aho, Converse University. 3. Alexa Carey, Cornell University. 4. Kendel Wickline, Sweet Briar College. 5. Kelsey Olivadoti, Purdue University. 6. Bianca Rosiak, University of Vermont. 7. Fiona Chase, University of Mary Washington. 8. Caitlin Talbot, Johnson & Wales University. 9. Ashley Deans, University of Colorado at Boulder. 10. Sahara Hinton, Lake Erie College.

Team Introductory Equitation: 1. Sophia Iglesias, Savannah College of Art & Design. 2. Fiona Bukhman, Centenary University. 3. Nila Rothman, Skidmore College. 4. Anna Howie, University of Wisconsin at Madison. 5. Lily Amaturo, Stanford University. 6. Keira Larkin, Delaware Valley University. 7. Karley Roof, Otterbein University. 8. Emily Schloneger, Miami University of Ohio. 9. Peixi Jia, Mount Holyoke College. 10. Colin Newton, Purdue University.

Team Novice Equitation: 1. Isa Washburne, Skidmore College. 2. Jenna Choinski, Long Island University - Post Campus. 3. Jilyan Moorman, Centenary University. 4. Payton Gault, Purdue University. 5. Elsa Heacock, Delaware Valley University. 6. Madison Poulin, Savannah College of Art & Design. 7. Tia Thivener, Otterbein University. 8. Jillian Boyers, Miami University of Ohio. 9. Eleanor Tabke, Goucher College. 10. Ansley Scheiblauer, Berry College.

Team Ranch Riding: 1. Cassidy Fritz, University of Findlay. 2. Elizabeth Ellis, Black Hawk College. 3. Marina Carroll, West Texas A & M University. 4. Ellie Wiethe, Miami University of Ohio. 5. Keira Wagner, Middle Tennessee State University. 6. Jacquelyn Wittler, Oregon State University. 7. Breana Souders, Mississippi State University. 8. Keira Hanschman, Alfred University. 9. Addison Gropp, University of Nebraska at Lincoln. 10. Stellamia Aerts, Albion College.

Team Beginner Western Horsemanship: 1. Emma Weinberg, University of Findlay. 2. Anita Sharma, Clemson University. 3. Brooke Gochnour, Penn State University (State College). 4. Aryanne Encarnacion - Cox, Black Hawk College. 5. Kaylyn Huber, Middle Tennessee State University. 6. Kaylen Langhofer, West Texas A & M University. 7. Kylee Vrba, University of Nebraska at Lincoln. 8. Lily Jurvelin, Albion College. 9. Molly Rydbeck, Oregon State University. 10. Hannah Beane, Miami University of Ohio.

Individual Level 1 Western Horsemanship: 1. Keira Wagner, Middle Tennessee State University. 2. Charli Wells, West Texas A & M University. 3. Rachel Bardsley, Wilson College. 4. Hannah Rowland, Morehead State University. 5. Morgan Bodway, Michigan State University. 6. Lauren Arens - Ennis, Midway University. 7. Sidney Morgan, Colby Community College. 8. Juileann Christopher, West Virginia University. 9. Talia Pierard, Black Hawk College. 10. Hope Cabral, Missouri State University.

Individual Rookie Western Horsemanship: 1. Victoria Brandt, Miami University of Ohio. 2. Baylee Runyon, Black Hawk College. 3. Alyssa McPhersen, Albion College. 4. Tessa SanFelippo, University of Findlay. 5. Ashlynn Albaugh, West Texas A & M University. 6. Olivia Trotter, Mississippi State University. 7. Bella Mccutchan, Missouri State University. 8. Faith Miller, University of Nebraska at Lincoln. 9. Sam Kawa, Middle Tennessee State University. 10. Madison Becker, Penn State University (State College).

Individual Open Reining: 1. Hayley Mertz, University of Findlay. 2. Marci Leath, Middle Tennessee State University. 3. Lili Evans, Mount Holyoke College. 4. Maegan Pearson, Wilmington College. 5. Samantha Smit, Alfred University. 6. Alexandra Edsall, Virginia Tech. 7. Makenna Noon, Miami University of Ohio. 8. Helene Keiser, West Texas A & M University. 9. Julie Warnick, Wilson College. 10. Cayden Lowe, North Carolina State University.

Sunday, May 4th:

Team Open Equitation Over Fences: 1. Alexander Alston, Savannah College of Art & Design. 2. Amaya Bellfield, University of Lynchburg. 3. Maddie Hawks, Colorado State University. 4. Madison Frankel, Long Island University - Post Campus. 5. Isa Jensen, Skidmore College. 6. Emma Linton, Otterbein University. 7. Hope Verschleiser, Goucher College. 8. Ella Stuft, University of Wisconsin at Madison. 9. Clara D'Amico, Miami University of Ohio. 10. Grace Allen, Delaware Valley University.

Cacchione Cup Competition: 1. Alexander Alston, Savannah College of Art & Design. 2. Emma Sameth, University of the South (Sewanee). 3. Eva Froio, Centenary University. 4. Amaya Bellfield, University of Lynchburg. 5. Harper Eskey, St. Lawrence University. 6. Emma Linton, Otterbein University. 7. Natalia Onisko, University of Delaware. 8. Madison Frankel, Long Island University. 9. Nada Soueidan, Emory & Henry University. 10. Laura Jun, University of Southern California.

Team Intermediate Equitation On The Flat: 1. Peter Cavagnac, Savannah College of Art & Design. 2. Taylor Ernst, Centenary University. 3. Samantha Wertz, Purdue University. 4. Ani McIntyre, Skidmore College. 5. Jessica McElhaney, University of Lynchburg. 6. Adriana Hardin, Goucher College. 7. Calei Bailey, University of Rhode Island. 8. Natalie Nawa, Otterbein University. 9. Maggie Mitchell, Delaware Valley University. 10. Catherine Gewecke, Stanford University.

Team Open Equitation On The Flat: 1. Alexander Alston, Savannah College of Art & Design. 2. Emma Linton, Otterbein University. 3. Amaya Bellfield, University of Lynchburg. 4. Rafi Wolf, Stanford University. 5. Abby Talcott, Purdue University. 6. Isa Jensen, Skidmore College. 7. Aislinn Bermingham, Centenary University. 8. Willa Akins, Berry College. 9. Rylee Foster, Colorado State University. 10. Clara D'Amico, Miami University of Ohio.

From left to right are Hannah Minton, Lexi Woestman, Helene Keiser, Violet Hodgson, Kaitlyn Evans, Kaylen Langhofer, Marina Carroll, Ashlynn Albaugh, Charli Wells, Caoimhe Benn - Rothstein, Peyton Podmolik, Ashton Hollingsworth and head coach Lori Jaixen. Collectively this is everyone who showed Western or English for West Texas A & M University at 2026 Nationals plus head coach Jaixen and Hollingsworth, the latter of whom is the first western rider to receive the inaugural "Quiet Champion" award.

Individual Level II Western Horsemanship: 1. Addison Schliesser, University of Findlay. 2. Gabrielle Olson, Black Hawk College. 3. Kairi Quinn, Colby Community College. 4. Grace Heintschel, University of Findlay. 5. Claire Coryell, St. Mary of the Woods College. 6. Wren Algee, Mississippi State University. 7. Caoimhe Benn - Rothstein, West Texas A & M University. 8. Shelby Zimmerman, Miami University of Ohio. 9. Faith Dady, Middle Tennessee State University. 10. Nicole Poussier, University of Washington.

Team Rookie Western Horsemanship: 1. Violet Hodgson, West Texas A & M University. 2. Dixie McKibbin, Albion College. 3. Savannah Bishop, University of Findlay. 4. Hannah Rybak, Penn State University (State College). 5. Emily Yeager, Black Hawk College. 6. Molly Herbert, Middle Tennessee State University. 7. Kiersten Lewark, Miami University of Ohio. 8. Erin Auclair, Alfred University. 9. Avery Gossett, University of Nebraska at Lincoln. 10. Mia Hidden, Oregon State University.

Team Open Western Horsemanship: 1. Helene Keiser, West Texas A & M University. 2. Marci Leath, Middle Tennessee State University. 3. Samantha Johnson, Clemson University. 4. Madison Weedon, Albion College. 5. Makenna Noon, Miami University of Ohio. 6. Samantha Smit, Alfred University. 7. Hayley Mertz, University of Findlay. 8. Gabrielle Olson, Black Hawk College. 9. Izzy Velinsky, University of Nebraska at Lincoln. 10. Natalie Ruha, Mississippi State University.

Individual AQHA High Point Open Rider Competition: 1. Maegan Pearson, Wilmington College. 2. Lili Evans, Mount Holyoke College. 3. Marci Leath, Middle Tennessee State University. 4. Madelyn Nevels, College of the Sequoias. 5. Samantha Johnson, Clemson University. 6. Hannah Strong, North Dakota State University. 7. Peyton Podmolik, West Texas A & M University. 8. Ciera Wolff, Cornell University. 9. Samantha Smit, Alfred University. 10. Alicia Smoot, Delaware Valley University.

2026 IHSA Nationals Hunter Seat Team Totals: