DAY TWO OF THE 2025 IHSA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
BATTLE FOR THE HIGH-POINT RIDER TITLES BEGINS AT THE 2025 IHSA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Emory & Henry University senior Emma Pell riding Denmark from Centenary University in the USHJA Hunter Seat High-Point Rider, Presenting the Cacchione Cup. Photo by Maddy Falkowitz
Gladys, Va – May 3, 2025 – Competition for coveted high-point rider national champion titles began on Day Two of the 2025 Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) National Championship held at Tryon International in Mill Spring, North Carolina. The first phases of the USHJA Hunter Seat High-Point Rider, Presenting the Cacchione Cup and the Back on Track Western High-Point Rider class culminated after a day of tough competition.
Day Two competition in the Horseware Ireland Hunter Seat Arena began with 16 riders from across the country vying for the Horseware Ireland Team Intermediate Equitation Over Fences. The judges requested to test the riders sitting in second through sixth. Emma Gurley (Rutherfordton, North Carolina) from Emory & Henry University (Emory, Virginia) rode to champion in the Horseware Ireland Team Intermediate Equitation Over Fences aboard Emory & Henry’s Romeo. Olivia Weilson from Miami University of Ohio (Oxford, Ohio) and Centenary University’s Denmark took home the reserve championship title. Skidmore College’s (Saratoga Springs, New York) sophomore Isa Jenson from Albany, New York, piloted the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) mount, Crumble, to third place.
The Chronicle of the Horse Team Limit Equitation Over Fences national championship was awarded to Taylor Earnst (Grand George, New York), a Centenary University (Hackettstown, New Jersey) sophomore, aboard Denmark, also from Centenary University. Reserve honors went to Ava Jackson (Apex, North Carolina) from the University of Lynchburg (Lynchburg, Virginia) and the Skidmore College mount, Mo. Madelyn Whitley (Stuarts Draft, Virginia) from Emory & Henry University rode Petro (University of Delaware/Newark, Delaware) to the third-place prize.
Twenty-four riders contested the Bill Yeager (Midland, Virginia) designed course in the first round to determine who takes home the Cacchione Cup as the USHJA Hunter Seat High-Point Rider. The course flowed well with 11 jumping efforts and an option to jump fence four to five in a direct bending line with a right rollback to fence six, or jump fence four straight, then a left rollback to fence five and a bending line to fence six.
“I did actually keep more focus on pace and track,” said Yeager, who has designed IHSA National Championship courses for 12 years. “It is mostly a straightforward course. There aren't a lot of technical options, so it should allow the riders to show their best.”
Hear from course designer Bill Yeager about the course he set for the 2025 USHJA Hunter Seat High-Point Rider, Presenting the Cacchione Cup.
The judges rewarded a forward pace and accuracy, with 10 riders scoring in the 80s and the top five in a two-and-a-half point spread. Topping the field going into the final day of competition is Emma Pell (Waterford, Virginia), from Emory & Henry, aboard Denmark from Centenary University. Sewanee: The University of the South’s (Sewanee, Tennessee) Emma Sameth (Far Hills, New Jersey) with Bon Bon from SCAD and Isabella Karr (Charlottesville, Virginia ) from University of Vermont (Burlington, Vermont) on the Centenary University-provided mount, Caro rounded out the top three going into the next phase.
Emory & Henry University senior Emma Pell riding Denmark from Centenary University in the USHJA Hunter Seat High-Point Rider, Presenting the Cacchione Cup. Photo by Maddy Falkowitz
“We came up with a really good plan this morning for the course,” Pell said. “The course did have the option, so we made sure to walk both options and pick which one we wanted and what would be best for me as a rider.”
I tried to think about not just the jumps but the track and every part of the course from when I walk into the ring to when I leave,” Pell added.
“I never have any doubts about what she's going to do,” said Heather Richardson, clinical associate professor of Equine Studies at Emory & Henry and IHSA Hunter Seat head coach. “She's always going to do the right thing by the horse. Always be a competitor, but at the end of the day, she's a good horsewoman.”
Calen Braden in the Back on Track Western High-Point Rider Horsemanship phase.
Photo by Winslow Photography
Day Two Western competition began with crowning the Team Ranch Riding, presented by the NRHA and NSBA. St. Andrew’s University (Scotland County, North Carolina) senior Lily Roman (Wake Forest, North Carolina) bested the field of 12 riders to be the 2025 national champion. Roman rode Walla, provided by Misty Yelton. Taking home the reserve championship was Kayla Lawson (Dalton, Ohio) from Midway University (Midway, Kentucky) aboard Happy, from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU/Murfreesboro, Tennessee). Rounding out the top three was Black Hawk College (Moline, Illinois) sophomore Gabrielle Olson (Viroqua, Wisconsin) and Honey, a palomino mare from the University of Findlay (Findlay, Ohio).
In the Back on Track Western High-Point Rider Horsemanship phase, riders donned their best attire and showcased their draws on the rail at the walk, jog and lope both directions before completing the pattern.
When the cheers quieted, Black Hawk College (Moline, Illinois) sophomore Calen Braden, with State University of New York at Oswego’s Paisley, led the field of 15 going into the reining phase Sunday.
“It was a little nerve-wracking switching (mounts) last minute, but it was super good,” Braden said. “I wouldn't have changed anything I did. I drew super well, and it all laid out for us.”
“She's always been super good at managing high-stress, high-pressure situations, so I had about zero doubt that she would be able to handle it,” said Liv Henning, assistant Western coach at Black Hawk College. ”The mare rode really well for her, and she managed every piece of that rail and the pattern.”
Watch highlights of Calen Braden's pattern and hear from her and
Assistant Western Coach Liv Henning.
Rounding out the top three was St. Andrews University’s (Laurinburg, North Carolina) Chase Summerville (Albion, Pennsylvania) aboard Harley, provided by Albion College and Faith Borbonus (Greensburg, Pennsylvania) from the University of Findlay aboard Findlay’s own mount, Boston.
Back on Track Western High-Point Rider competition concludes Sunday with the reining phase, which will determine the 2025 national championship honors.
A WORD FROM THE HUNTER SEAT JUDGES
Hunter seat judges Michael Tokaruk and Joyce Przeebowski
Photo by EQ Media
This year’s IHSA National Championship welcomed two highly respected hunter seat judges, Michael Tokaruk and Joyce Przebowski, to the Horseware Ireland Hunter Seat Arena. While both are familiar with the IHSA format, 2025 marks their first time judging the National Championship. We caught up with them during the competition at Tryon International Equestrian Center to get their impressions of the event, their thoughts on the level of competition, and what makes judging IHSA so unique.
MEET ALEX RONNIGEN
Alex Ronningen was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when she was just 11 months old. Her grandmother, a physical therapist, was familiar with the benefits of therapeutic riding and introduced the family to hippotherapy—therapy conducted on horseback. At age 2, Alex began hippotherapy, and by 8 or 9, she transitioned to traditional riding lessons with a trainer, joining her sister in riding and competing as an able-bodied athlete.
Now a student at Louisiana State University, Alex earned a spot on the LSU Equestrian Team. At the Zone 5 Finals at SCAD, she qualified for the IHSA National Championship in The Chronicle of the Horse Limit Equitation Over Fences aboard SCAD’s beloved horse, Pork Chop.
Hear more from Alex about her journey with cystic fibrosis—and how horses continue to play a central role in her life.
IHSA National Championship competition concludes Sunday with the crowning of the USHJA Hunter Seat High-Point Rider, Presenting the Cacchione Cup and Back on Track Western High-Point Rider titles, team award presentations and more.
FAST FACTS
What: Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association National Championship, including individual and team championships.
When: May 2-4
Time: 8 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Where: Tryon International Indoor Complex
Address: 25 International Blvd, Mill Spring, North Carolina 28756
QUICK LINKS
Go to Horse Spot for up-to-date schedules and results!
Watch the Livestream on Horse & Country:
For those unable to attend in person, IHSA's Official Media Partner, Horse & Country TV, will capture all the action. Horse & Country is offering a 15% discount on an H&C+ Annual Membership. Learn more here.
