Growing up, horses always felt like something that belonged to somebody else’s world. I admired them from a distance through television screens, books, and the occasional glimpse over a fence line, but I never truly believed they would become part of my life. My family simply was not in a financial position to afford horses, lessons, or the competitive opportunities that so many young riders grow up with.
Still, despite that reality, I carried the dream quietly with me for years. I dreamed of riding, showing, earning ribbons, and experiencing the connection between horse and rider that I had admired for so long.
What I never realized was that one day those dreams would lead me all the way to the 2026 IHSA National Championship.
Read about another rider’s experience at IHSA Nationals.
Finding Confidence at Middle Tennessee State University
When I became a horse science major at Middle Tennessee State University, my life changed in ways I never could have imagined. Coming from a completely non-horse background, I entered the program feeling intimidated and uncertain of myself. There were moments when I felt like I barely knew the difference between the front end and back end of a horse, and I constantly questioned whether I belonged in this world at all.
But the people around me never let me believe that I didn’t belong.
My head coach, Ariel Higgins, along with graduate student coaches JoBeth and Haley, poured so much time, patience, and encouragement into me. They believed in me long before I believed in myself. They saw potential in the nervous girl with no horse background and no confidence, and they never stopped reminding me that I was capable of more than I thought.
Even the opportunity to show horses at all felt surreal to me. I still remember my very first class. I received a second-place ribbon, and the moment I walked out of the arena, I burst into tears—not because of the ribbon itself, but because I finally felt like I had stepped into the dream I had carried since childhood.
The first people there beside me were JoBeth and Ariel. They celebrated with me, comforted me, and reminded me that I deserved to be there. Looking back now, I realize what made this journey so meaningful wasn’t just the horses or the competitions—it was the people who guided me every step of the way.
Experiencing the 2026 IHSA National Championship at Tryon
Arriving at Tryon International for Nationals was one of the most unforgettable moments of my life. The facility itself was breathtaking. From the massive warmbloods on the hunt seat side to the energy buzzing through the barns, every detail felt magical. Even the smell of the arena is something I will never forget. It was one of those moments where everything suddenly felt real.
What made the experience even more special was watching how much my coaches cared about making our first Nationals experience unforgettable. They showed us around the grounds with excitement, took us to watch the Grand Prix classes, and made sure we appreciated every second of being there. Their passion made the entire trip even more meaningful.
The first few days were filled with schooling rides and warmups, giving us time to settle into the atmosphere before the competition truly began. Then Thursday arrived, and suddenly everything became serious: horse selection day.
Horse Selection and Preparing to Compete
I rode both Happy and Jolene during the selection rides, both horses from MTSU’s program. I was incredibly nervous. It felt like everyone in the world was watching me. I had never ridden in front of that many people before, and the pressure felt overwhelming at first.
But once I got past the nerves, I genuinely had fun.
One ride in particular meant a lot to me: my ride on Jolene. I had not shown her before, and honestly, I had not ridden her much at all. Yet somehow, during that ride, everything clicked. I felt proud of the way we communicated and worked together, and I walked away from the arena feeling hopeful.
Then came the surprise: Jolene was selected for my class the next day.
I could hardly believe it.
That night, sleep was nearly impossible. My mind raced endlessly. What if I broke gait? What if I forgot my pattern? What if I made a mistake? Every possible fear seemed to run through my mind at once.
Eventually, exhaustion won.
Competing at IHSA Nationals
Even once we arrived at the barn the next morning, it still didn’t fully sink in. But the moment my family arrived, reality hit me all at once. I was about to compete at the biggest IHSA event in the country.
Little me—the little girl who never thought riding horses was financially possible—had somehow made it to Nationals.
I got dressed, walked to the draw table, and drew my horse.
Jolene.
The second I saw her name, it felt like everything was falling into place. The nerves that had consumed me for hours began to disappear, replaced by excitement and gratitude. My teammates and coaches knew exactly how to keep me grounded. They knew when to distract me, when to make me laugh, and when to remind me to simply enjoy the moment.
Then suddenly, it was time.
We entered the arena to cheers, whistles, and applause, and at that moment, it finally became real: I was competing at the IHSA National Championships.
The rail work flew by, and before I knew it, we were lining up for patterns.
Then it was my turn.
Jolene and I walked into that pattern, and somehow all the fear disappeared. Instead of feeling terrified, it felt fun. We worked together, and I could hear my teammates cheering while I saw my coaches smiling from the sidelines.
In that moment, every long practice, every early morning, every late night, and every ounce of doubt became worth it.
Finishing Top 10
When the results were announced, Jolene and I earned an eighth-place ribbon—top 10 in the nation.
Even now, it feels unreal to say those words. The little girl in me—the one who once believed horses were only a distant dream—was overwhelmed with pride just to be in that arena, let alone finish among the top riders in the country.
None of this would have been possible without my coaches, teammates, family, and everyone who supported me along the way. I am endlessly grateful to IHSA, the coaches, and the sponsors who make opportunities like this possible for students like me.
The 2026 IHSA National Championships gave me more than a ribbon. It gave me proof that dreams do not have to begin with perfect circumstances to become reality. Sometimes all it takes is one opportunity, people who believe in you, and the courage to believe that maybe you belong there after all.