I grew up on the back of a horse. Whether it was long days on the trail, gathering cattle off the mountain, or competing in extreme trail, horses have always been at the center of my life. But it was not until my sophomore year of college that I stepped outside my comfort zone and tried out for the Mississippi State University IHSA Equestrian Team.
That decision became one of the most meaningful parts of my collegiate career.
Building the Mississippi State IHSA Program
When I first made the team, our coach, Ashley Glenn, told us we had the potential to win our region and advance to the NRHA/IHSA Western Semifinals. What I did not realize then was that she was not just building a competitive team. She was building a program rooted in accountability, resilience, and character—one that would shape us far beyond the arena.
She became one of the most influential people in my collegiate career, and as she often reminded us, “Ride with purpose, and let your work speak for itself.”
That first season, we came heartbreakingly close, falling just a few points short. While we did not advance as a team, several teammates qualified individually. I traveled with them to Regionals, cheering from the sidelines, and later supported from home as they continued on.
Watching their success lit a fire in me.
The following season, when Coach asked about my goals, I did not hesitate.
“Nationals.”
That small taste of postseason competition shifted something in me. I wanted more—not just for myself, but for our team. We trained harder, pushed each other further, and began building something special.
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Mississippi State Wins the IHSA Region 2 Championship
That season came down to the final show. For the first time in program history, Mississippi State was named the IHSA Region 2 Champion Team, earning a spot at the NRHA/IHSA Western Semifinals. The momentum carried us forward, and several of us qualified individually as well.
At Semifinals, we rode well but fell just short of qualifying as a team for Nationals. It stung, but it fueled us.
By my senior year, that fire burned even stronger. We had something to prove. Show after show, we earned high-point team awards and positioned ourselves for another regional title.
Just before the final show, I faced a difficult decision. I was one point away from qualifying individually for the postseason, but earning that point could mean sacrificing my ability to contribute to the team. After careful thought and conversations with Coach, I chose the team. As a senior, I wanted to give everything I had to something bigger than myself.
That decision made the outcome even more meaningful.
We won Regionals again, with six riders qualifying individually for Semifinals. In the weeks that followed, we committed fully, practicing twice a day, four to five days a week—even through spring break. Every ride and every correction led to one goal.
Qualifying for the 2026 IHSA National Championship
At Murray State University for Semifinals, the pressure was real.
The first day showcased the individual riders, and my teammates rose to the occasion. Each made callbacks, and four earned spots at Nationals. The team competition the next day tested us in a different way.
Our first class did not go as planned when our reiner broke pattern. You could feel the tension shift instantly. But Coach gathered us and reminded us:
“We are not out of it. Ride hard and place in the top three.”
That moment defined us. We had been taught to stay composed under pressure, trust our preparation, and show up for each other when it mattered most.
One by one, we answered the call.
I had the opportunity to ride Boots, and together we delivered a confident ride that earned reserve champion in my division. My teammates followed with strong performances, consistently placing in the top four. Even when another ride resulted in a setback, we refused to let it define the day.
Our final rider executed a beautiful pattern and won her class.
When the results were announced, we had done it.
Third place. A ticket to Nationals for the first time in program history.
Competing at Tryon International
The weeks leading up to Nationals were filled with preparation and attention to detail. Then we made the trip to Tryon International for the IHSA National Championship.
Walking into that arena was something I will never forget. The atmosphere and level of competition reminded me just how far we had come.
The first day exceeded anything we could have imagined. Ride after ride, our team delivered, earning top-three placings across divisions, including three national championships. For the first time in program history, Mississippi State had national champions.
The second day did not reflect the same success in placings, but the rides themselves were still something to be proud of. That evening, we participated in the Parade of Teams, watched the Kentucky Derby together, and experienced the Tryon Spring $70,000 IHSA Grand Prix. It reminded us that this experience was about more than results.
Read about another rider’s experience at IHSA Nationals.
Finishing Top Five
The final day was my turn to compete. The nerves were there, but so was a sense of calm and gratitude. I drew Rapper from Murray State and focused on building a connection from the moment I stepped into the pen.
It became a ride I will always be proud of.
As the awards wrapped up, we celebrated more than placings. Coach Ashley Glenn was named the 2026 National Coach Sportsmanship Award recipient, and our team earned the inaugural National Team Sportsmanship Award. Those honors reflected more than a single season. They were a direct result of the culture she built—one centered on integrity, respect, and doing things the right way.
We finished fourth in the nation, an accomplishment that carries more weight than words can express. Out of hundreds of teams across the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association, only 12 earn the opportunity to compete at Nationals. To then finish fourth in our first appearance is something truly extraordinary.
As a senior, Nationals was bittersweet. I have never cried more—tears of pressure, joy, pride, and the realization that it was all coming to an end. It was also our coach’s final season, which made everything even more meaningful. We wanted to make her proud, and I believe we did.
Coach Glenn leaves behind more than wins and milestones. She leaves a legacy in every rider she coached—one defined by grit, selflessness, and character.
Being part of a history-making team is something I will carry with me forever. More than the titles, it is the people, the lessons, and the character shaped along the way that matter most.
And if there is one thing this journey taught me, it is this:
Never stop riding.