TurnoutHQ+ Newsroom · Published May 4, 2026 · Updated September 8, 2026
Key Takeaway
Defending champion Alex Alston of SCAD took a commanding lead in the Cacchione Cup with a score of 92, while Centenary and Goucher riders secured major team equitation titles at Tryon.
What Happened
The second day of the 2026 Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) National Championship at the Tryon International Equestrian Center saw a mix of team victories and high-stakes individual performances. A primary focus of the day was the over-fences phase of the USHJA Hunter Seat High-Point Rider Cacchione Cup, a prestigious title that determines the top individual collegiate rider in the country.
Defending 2025 national champion Alex Alston, a senior at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), set a high bar by scoring a 92 to lead the field of 24 riders going into the flat phase. Alston was paired with Tuck, a mount provided by Sewanee: The University of the South. Other notable performances on the leaderboard included Amaya Bellfield from the University of Lynchburg with an 87 and Madison Frankel of Long Island University with an 86.5.
In the team divisions, Centenary University’s Taylor Ernst claimed the championship in the Horseware Ireland Team Intermediate Equitation Over Fences, while Goucher College freshman Cameron Andruskiewicz won the Chronicle of the Horse Team Limit Equitation Over Fences.
Why It Matters
The IHSA National Championship represents the pinnacle of collegiate riding, where student-athletes compete on "catch rides", horses they have never ridden before, testing their adaptability and pure equitation skills.
Alex Alston’s lead in the Cacchione Cup highlights the level of pressure on returning champions in a format where luck of the draw is a major factor. By drawing Tuck, the same horse he used during the work-off to win his previous title, Alston’s performance underscores the unique mental game of intercollegiate competition. For programs like the University of Lynchburg, Goucher, and SCAD, these results are critical for recruiting and maintaining the status of their equestrian programs.
Competition Context
The event, held at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, North Carolina, utilized a course designed by Bill Yeager. Judging for the day was handled by Kat Mulkey and Heide Bossow-Casciaro, who rewarded forward, rhythmic riding in the over-fences classes. Following the jumping phases, the arena was transitioned to prepare for the flat sections of the High-Point Rider, Corro Individual, and Team Equitation classes.
Discipline Context
The IHSA focuses on equitation, with divisions ranging from introductory levels to the Open division. This championship caters specifically to the Hunter Seat discipline, though IHSA also includes Western divisions in its national framework. The competition promotes accessibility in the sport by providing all horses and tack, allowing students to compete based on merit rather than horse ownership.
According to results from the first day, the University of Lynchburg has already secured its first-ever IHSA national title via Amaya Bellfield in the individual open equitation, signaling a shift in the competitive landscape as newer or smaller programs challenge perennial powerhouses like SCAD and Skidmore.
Competitors heading into the season can find show tack and riding equipment ahead of entries.