Riders Set Sights on High-Point Titles at the 2026 IHSA National Championship
Riders Set Sights on High-Point Titles at the 2026 IHSA National Championship
University of Lynchburg (Lynchburg, Virginia) freshman, Amaya Bellfield (Longmont, Colorado), rode to the Dover Saddlery Individual Open Equitation Over Fences national championship aboard Miami University of Ohio’s Francoe. Photo by Winslow Photography
Gladys, Va. – May 2, 2026 – The second day of competition at the 2026 Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) National Championship held at Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, North Carolina, featured the USHJA Hunter Seat High-Point Rider, Presenting the Cacchione Cup and Back on Track Western High-Point Rider.
Stakes rose as riders entered the arena for the USHJA Hunter Seat High-Point Rider Cacchione Cup Over Fences class. Twenty-four riders took on the Bill Yeager-designed track, where pace, precision and subtle invisible aids proved essential to topping the field and earning a place in IHSA history as a Cacchione Cup National Champion.
Hear from SCAD senior Alex Alston and head coach Ashley Henry about the USHJA Hunter Seat High-Point Rider, presenting the Cacchione Cup Over Fences.
Action in the Western pen started Day Two with the NRHA Team Ranch Riding, presented by NSBA. Twelve riders completed the pattern, vying for the national championship title. University of Findlay (Findlay, Ohio) senior Cassidy Fritz (Bremen, Indiana) rode to the 2026 national champion title with Findlay’s own Benz. Reserve honors went to Black Hawk College’s (Galva, Illinois) Elizabeth Ellis (Chenoa, Illinois) aboard Reba, provided by Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU/Murfreesboro, Tennessee). Marina Carroll (Grand Junction, Colorado) from West Texas A&M University (Canyon, Texas), aboard Delaware Valley University’s (Doylestown, Pennsylvania) Callie, earned the third-place prize.
“I had a lot going through my mind, actually before I walked in, but once you kind of get your horse and your draw, then you kind of set your mindset where it needs to be,” Fritz said. “When I drew Benz and I was draw eight, I was like, ‘perfect’ and I was excited for today. Last year coming here I was nervous going into my classes, but this year I was really excited and just ready to get in there and get at it.”
Hear from University of Findlay senior Cassidy Fritz, the 2026 NRHA Team Ranch Riding, Presented by NSBA National Champion about her pattern on Benz and what the IHSA means to her.
The pursuit of the Back on Track Western High-Point Rider title got underway with the Horsemanship phase, where 15 riders navigated their draws through the walk, jog and lope on the rail before tackling individual pattern work. The pattern challenged competitors to demonstrate accuracy, feel and finesse through extended gaits, a simple lead change and a 360-degree turn in either direction.
The top three after the Horsemanship phase are: Megan Pearson (Laurel, Indiana/Wilmington College, Wilmington, Ohio), Lili Evans (Groton, Massachusetts/Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Massachusetts) and Peyton Podmolik (Pella, Iowa/West Texas A&M University). With a tightly-contested field emerging from the opening phase, all eyes now turn to the Reining phase on Sunday, when the national champion will be decided.
Megan Pearson (Laurel, Indiana/Wilmington College, Wilmington, Ohio) aboard University of Findlay mount Pickles leading after the Back on Track Western High-Point Rider Horsemanship Phase.
Photo by Winslow Photography
The IHSA GIVE Campaign and the IHSA fundraising committee announced the inaugural recipients of the IHSA Coach Education Grant, the first national grant dedicated to investing in the professionals who make this collegiate sport possible. The grants are made possible by donors who believe in the future of IHSA.
This grant supports professional credentialing and education through our membership partner programs, USHJA Trainer Certification and the AQHA Professional Horseman Program.
The IHSA is proud to announce the recipients of the inaugural IHSA Coach Grant: Anne-Marine Feat, hunter seat coach of Luther University and Taylor Fabus, Western coach of Michigan State University.
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.
