This past weekend, I made the trip from Madison, Wisconsin, to Tryon International for the 2026 Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) National Championship. It was my second time competing at this prestigious event, but my first experience attending Nationals as part of a team rather than as an individual qualifier. As a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I plan to graduate this December so I knew this would likely be my final IHSA Nationals. Looking back now, I wouldn’t change a single moment. 

From the moment we walked into Tryon’s massive indoor arena for schooling on Thursday, the excitement among our team was unmistakable. Nationals carry an energy unlike any other horse show I’ve competed in. Riders from across the country gather with a shared respect for catch riding, sportsmanship and the unique challenges IHSA competition presents. Even before the show began, there was a sense that the weekend would be special — and that it was. 

Throughout my riding career, I have almost exclusively competed as an individual rider. While those opportunities were incredibly meaningful, IHSA offers something rare in equestrian sport: the chance to be part of a true team environment. This year, I fully experienced that side of collegiate riding, and it transformed my Nationals experience. 

After embodying that spirit from start to finish, the Wisconsin Equestrian Team was honored with the inaugural Team Spirit Award, recognizing exemplary sportsmanship, volunteerism and camaraderie. That recognition meant as much to us as any ribbon.

Fostering Team Spirit 

Long before arriving at Tryon, our team committed to supporting one another, helping other competitors and contributing wherever we could. Our now-famous red bobble headbands quickly became a symbol of that enthusiasm. They appeared everywhere — in the stands, around the warm-up ring and even on legendary IHSA founder Bob Cacchione himself. Seeing him wearing one felt like the perfect representation of what IHSA is all about: connection, inclusivity and joy of the sport.

Although I didn’t compete on Friday, it may have been one of my favorite days of the weekend. As team captain, I traded in my show coat for boot polish and found a spot at the in-gate to help my teammates prepare while cheering them on from the sidelines. Watching them lay down stunning rides against some of the strongest competition in the country filled me with immense pride. Supporting others rather than focusing on my own round reminded me how powerful the team dynamics can be. Their success felt just as rewarding as any personal accomplishment. 

The bonding didn’t stop when the show ended each day. From playing games at our Airbnb to sharing a team dinner Friday night, we built memories that extended far beyond the arena. Early mornings and long competition days can sometimes test patience and energy, but for our group, those challenges only brought us closer together. Laughter replaced nerves, and exhaustion was balanced by encouragement. By the time the weekend progressed, we weren’t just teammates — we were a family united by a shared goal and mutual respect.

Unforgettable Rides and Under the Lights at the Parade of Teams

I was fortunate enough to ride four exceptional horses over the course of the weekend, each reminding me why IHSA catch riding is such a valuable test of horsemanship. My first class was the prestigious USHJA Hunter Seat High-Point Rider, Presenting the Cacchione Cup, which brings together 24 of the top IHSA riders in the country for a demanding two-phase competition. After two unforgettable rides on Luca, provided by the University of Lynchburg, and Dee, provided by the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), I finished among the top 15 riders in the country, an honor and moment I will always remember. 

Saturday evening brought one of the most memorable experiences of the entire championship: the Parade of Teams before the Grand Prix. Walking into the stadium alongside my teammates while spectators cheered for schools from across the nation was surreal. Under the lights, surrounded by riders who shared the same passion, I felt overwhelming gratitude, not only for qualifying but for representing Wisconsin together as a team.

Sunday proved to be our busiest and most rewarding day. I competed in two team classes, highlighted by the Dover Saddlery Team Open Equitation Over Fences division, where I earned an 82 for eighth aboard the wonderful Houdini, provided by Centenary University. Earlier that morning, Wisconsin was also announced as ninth place overall in the USHJA/IHSA Horsemanship Challenge, an achievement that reflected the dedication of our entire program.

The Power of Riding for Your Team

As team classes concluded and scores were finalized, the Wisconsin Equestrian Team secured its first top-10 finish at IHSA Nationals in more than a decade. Hearing that announcement was an emotional moment for all of us. Every early practice, long drive and shared effort throughout the season culminated in that achievement. Standing with my teammates afterward, I realized that Nationals had given me something far greater than results.

For years, riding had largely been an individual pursuit where I focused on personal goals, personal rounds and personal outcomes. IHSA changed that perspective. It showed me how powerful it is to ride not only for yourself but for something bigger: your teammates, your school and the collective pride of representing a program together.

As my collegiate riding career winds down, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities IHSA has provided. The organization teaches adaptability, humility and sportsmanship in ways few competitions can. More importantly, it creates lifelong friendships and memories that extend far beyond ribbons or placings. 

Competing at the 2026 IHSA National Championship reminded me why I fell in love with this sport and this team in the first place. I am endlessly proud to have worn Wisconsin’s colors, grateful to have led such an extraordinary group of riders and thankful for every horse, teammate and moment that shaped this unforgettable weekend.

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