Otterbein Equestrian Dressage Team and Hunt Seat Team Heading to National Competitions

Posted Apr 08, 2026

Otterbein University congratulates its Equestrian Teams for an outstanding season! Both the Dressage Team and Hunt Seat Team have once again qualified for their respective national finals competition! This is at least the 12th consecutive year both teams have qualified for nationals.

Otterbein Nationals 2026

Otterbein will be represented in both the Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA) and the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) national arenas. This is an extraordinary accomplishment and a testament to the strength, consistency, and excellence of our Equestrian Teams, lesson program, and the Otterbein Department of Equine Science.  

For those less familiar with collegiate equestrian sport, qualifying for nationals is no small feat. Riders compete throughout the season at multiple shows, earning points based on rider performance. Only the top individuals and teams advance through a highly competitive post-season to reach nationals, placing Otterbein among the elite collegiate equestrian programs in the country. 

What makes this achievement even more remarkable is the nature of the sport itself. Our riders are not only athletes, but true partners with the horses. Their success requires precision and adaptability, often competing on horses they’ve never ridden before thanks to the draw-based format. Behind every ride are early mornings, late nights, set training schedules, and a deep commitment to both horsemanship and academics. 

Qualifying both teams and individuals for nationals is a rare and significant achievement that speaks volumes — doing it as often as Otterbein does is extraordinary. As these riders prepare to compete against the best in the nation, we invite you to join us in celebrating and cheering them on. Your support as part of the Otterbein community plays an important role in making achievements like this possible.

DRESSAGE TEAM: 

The Otterbein Dressage Team will trot down centerline April 22-24, 2026, at the National Equestrian Center in Lake St. Louis, MO. The following riders representing Otterbein at IDA Nationals:

  • Mia Basso – First Level Test Team, First Level Test Individual
  • Lydia Smathers – Upper Training Test Team, Upper Training Test Individual
  • Hailey Mattice – Lower Training Test Team, Lower Training Test Individual 
  • Delaney Will – Intro Test Team, Intro Test Individual
  • Rachel Kulha – Lower Training Test Individual
  • Ella Paine – Upper Training DSE Individual
  • Maya Samlan – Lower Training DSE Individual
  • Lizzie Knowles – Intro DES Individual
Ellie Linn Dressage
Otterbein Equine Teams

HUNT SEAT: 

The Otterbein Hunt Seat Team will be on course May 1-3, 2026, at Tryon International in Mill Spring, NC. Please join us in recognizing the riders who will represent Otterbein at IHSA Nationals:

  • Emma Linton – Open Fences and Flat Team, Open Fences and Flat Individual, Cacchione Cup Rider 
  • Rachael Wingard – Intermediate Fences Team 
  • Natalie Nawa – Limit Fences and Intermediate Flat Team, Limit Flat Individual 
  • Maya Samlan – Limit Flat Team 
  • Tia Thivener – Novice Flat Team 
  • Karley Roof – Intro Flat Team

Congratulate these Otterbein equestrian athletes when you see them!

Go Cards! 

RESULTS: Otterbein Equestrian Teams Finish Fifth in the Nation!

Otterbein’s Equestrians Teams finished fifth nationally in both the Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA) and the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). 

Otterbein’s Dressage riders competed from April 22-24 at the National Equestrian Center in Lake St. Louis, MO. Individual results were:

  • Mia Basso – 5th in 1st level team test and 4th in 1st level individual test
  • Lydia Smathers – 10th in upper team test and 9th in upper individual test
  • Hailey Mattice – 4th in lower training team test and CHAMPION in lower training individual test
  • Delaney Will – 6th in intro team test and 10th in intro individual test
  • Rachel Kuhla – 5th in lower training individual test
  • Ella Paine – RESERVE CHAMPION in upper DSE
  • Maya Samlan – 3rd in lower DSE
  • Lizzie Knowles – 3rd in Intro DSE

The Hunt Seat Team took to the national arena at the IHSA National Finals from May 1–3 at Tryon International in Mill Spring, NC. Individual results were:

  • Emma Linton – 2nd in open team flat, 6th in open team over fences, 10th in open individual over fences, and 6th in the Cacchione Cup High-Point Rider (the highest placing any Otterbein Equestrian Team Member has earned in the very difficult featured class)
  • Rachael Wingard – 9th in intermediate team over fences
  • Natalie Nawa – 8th in intermediate team flat, 9th in limit team over fences, and 8th in limit individual flat
  • Maya Samlan – 5th in limit team flat
  • Tia Thivner – 7th in novice team flat
  • Karley Roof – 7th in introductory team flat