Wilmington College senior Maegan Pearson comes into the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Nationals, May 1 to 3, as one of the top riders in the country. The senior, with two IHSA National appearances under her belt, is riding a wave as the champion in Open Horsemanship and overall High-Point Rider at this year’s Western Regional and Semi-National competitions.
Fewer than 1 percent of collegiate equestrians qualify for Nationals, and Pearson will have made that trip each of her three years at WC. She’s graduating in May with majors in agricultural business and equine business management. “I’m just going to ride and have fun — one last hurrah,” she said. “It’s rewarding to see all my hard work pay off.”
Pearson will compete in both open horsemanship and reining, the latter of which she placed fourth at Semi-Nationals, and again in those events in the High-Point Rider competition. The venue for Nationals is a familiar place, Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, NC, the site of last year’s Nationals, where she placed eighth in the High Point Rider and seventh in Open Horsemanship events.
“I’m going into Nationals like it’s just another horse show for me — I try not to overcomplicate it,” she said. “I ride every day. You go with what you know and just ride.”
What Pearson knows is a lot. As “a lifer,” she began showing horses while barely in elementary school and worked her way through the Interscholastic Equestrian Association while in grades four through 12 before enrolling at WC. Collegiate competitions are usually “draw-based.” Riders don’t mount their own horses — they compete with the luck of the draw and usually ride specific horses for the first time. “I’ve gained a lot of experience from riding all these different horses,” she said. “I’ve learned to hop on a random horse and just ride.”
Equestrian Team Head Coach Stephanie McConnell-Hill said the competing riders get no warm-up period to get to know the horses. “We put them on a horse, adjust the stirrups and send them off,” she said, noting the scenario becomes “second nature” to seasoned riders like Pearson. “It makes you such a better rider.”
In Open Horsemanship, judges look for riders’ straight-line posture, and how well they work with an unfamiliar horse and execute riding patterns. “The judge is looking for the rider that they would like to ride their horse,” McConnell-Hill said, noting competitors should appear confident and forgiving. “Horses are a lot like people. If you don’t get their respect from the beginning, they’ll ride right over you. Maegan quickly gets the feel of the horse, so she knows how the horse is going to act. Her ability is to lead the horse and always be two or three steps ahead of the horse and adapt if things don’t go right. She goes in with so much confidence that, if things are not going right, she convinces the judges that it was her idea.”
Pearson added, “When you’re riding, there’s a lot to think about and not a lot of time. You have to have a plan, and a backup plan.”
PHOTO: Maegan Pearson is pictured with her awards from this year's Semi-Nationals, first place in open horsemanship, champion High-Point Rider and fourth place in reining.
Indeed, adaptability is essential in both competition and life. Pearson was forced to adapt to adversity this winter when she injured herself in a riding incident, which she was determined would not prevent her from competing. From mid-February through the end of March, she was either on crutches or in a protective boot while her dislocated and stress-fractured ankle healed. Officials at the team’s competition at the University of Louisville noted, “She might not be able to walk, but she sure can ride!”
With her final collegiate and draw-based competition on the near horizon, Pearson looked back on her time at WC — she’s graduating after only three years since she attained college credit while in high school. Originally wishing to attend a large university in Indiana, she contacted Wilmington College “on a whim.” A native of Laurel, IN — “You blink, and you’re past it. It’s a very small town,” she joked — Pearson met with McConnell-Hill at the Arby’s restaurant in nearby Brookville, IN, which is also close to where the coach resides.
McConnell-Hill told her about the Equestrian Team, the Equine Center, the equine business management major and the opportunity for students to bring their horse to college, something that appealed very much to Pearson. Various numbers of her horses have accompanied her to the College over the past three years, but currently Stanley, Charles and Tex reside at the Equine Center. “They’re very interesting horses. Their names match their personalities,” she said, noting how much her time at WC has meant. “I’ve met some of my lifelong best friends here, and I’ve enjoyed when I’ve been able to share my knowledge with others on the team. Also, I’ve had a great experience working with younger horses.” She hopes to get into an equine-related career.
No matter how her events go at Nationals, few would argue that Pearson will graduate as the most accomplished equestrian in College history. “She’s coming into this year’s Nationals as the High-Point Rider in two different regions and Semi-Finals. Maegan’s going in with a lot of maturity.” McConnell-Hill said, noting that, at this point with her, it’s not so much coaching she does, but “talking through things.”
“Maegan has the perfect combination of experience, talent and hard work — you have to put in the time, and she has. Hard work will beat talent every day!” she added. “She’s one of the top riders going into Nationals — no pressure!”
TOP PHOTO: Maegan Pearson competes during a home show in fall 2024.