Otterbein Equestrian Team

This is your last chance to join us for camp this summer! We can't wait to have TONS of fun in the sun with so many amazing horses! Minimal spots remaining as of 5/8- secure your spot now! 🐴🌞🌷Registration and more information can be found on https://www.otterbein.edu/summercamps/equine-camp/ We cannot wait to see everyone soon! ✨

Otterbein took 5th place in the nation on team day at IDA Nationals!! Our team put in excellent rides!!

🩷 Mia Basso finished 5th in 1st level team test
🩵 Lydia Smathers finished 10th in Upper team test
🤍 Hailey Mattice earned a 4th in Lower training team test
💚 Delaney Will placed 6th with the marvelous Mo in intro team test

Congratulations to all of our riders and our amazing team!! We couldn’t do it without each and every one of you supporting us along the way, and all of our amazing Nationals volunteers as well!! A huge thank you to and for your continued support of our team!! On to the 26-27’ season!! Go OCET 🎉

OCET took on individual day at IDA nationals yesterday and had a ton of fun!

🌟Mia Basso 4th in 1st Level Test
🌟Lydia Smathers 9th in Upper Training
🥇Hailey Mattice CHAMPION in Lower Training Test!!!!
🌟Rachel Kuhla 5th in Lower Training
🌟Delaney Will 10th in Intro

DSE:
🥈Ella Paine RESERVE CHAMPION of Upper DSE!!!!
🥉Maya Samlan 3rd in Lower DSE
🥉Lizzie Knowles 3rd in Intro DSE

Thank you so much and for supporting our riders through all levels of competition!! All of our riders rode incredibly well yesterday and their hard work didn’t go unnoticed!! Good luck to the 4 riders competing today for the team championships!!

Otterbein ended 5th place in the nation at IHSA Nationals 2026!! We are so proud of the hard work and dedication our whole team put in to get here!

Team results-
❤️💚Emma Linton finished 2nd in open team flat, and 6th in open team over fences
🩶Rachael Wingard finished 9th in intermediate team over fences
🤎🩶Natalie Nawa finished 8th in intermediate team flat, and 9th in limit team over fences
🩷Maya Samlan finished 5th in limit team flat
💜Tia Thivner finished 7th in novice team flat
💜Karley Roof finished 7th in introductroy team flat

Indiciudal results-
🩵💚Emma Linton finished 10th in open individual over fences, and 6th in the Cacchione Cup which is the highest placing any otter trotter has earned in the very tough featured class!!! Yay Emma!
🤎Natalie Nawa finished 8th in limit individual flat

We could not have done it without the support of so many involved. Cheers 🎉 to a great season, and on to 26’-27’. ❤️OC-WHOOP WHOOP!💛

Join us in welcoming some new Otter Trotters ❤️💛

Saddle up and shop 🐎✨ Join us May 23rd from 10am-4pm for Otterbein Equine’s first ever Garage Sale! Tack, décor, clothing & more for everyone! Rain or shine, we’ll see you there! ❤️

OtterTrotters - remember to stop by the Otterbein tailgate if you are going to be at the KY 3-day.

Join us for the Otterbein Tailgate at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. Reconnect with fellow Cardinals and OtterTrotters while experiencing the thrill of a world-class event from our prime spot on the Defender Course. We’ll have food and drinks flowing all day!

📅Saturday, April 25
⏰During the Cross-Country Competition (typically runs from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
📍Kentucky Horse Park | 4089 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511 (Otterbein Tent on the Horse Park Grounds)

🔗Let us know you're stopping by at the link below:
https://tinyurl.com/Defender-Kentucky

We'll see you in Tryon! 🏆

A warm welcome to our new Ottertrotters ❤️

We are thrilled to share both our Dressage Team and Hunt Seat Team have once again qualified for their respective National Finals competition!

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 equine science department.

Qualifying both teams and individuals for Nationals- yet again!- is a rare and significant achievement that speaks volumes. 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.

The Otterbein Dressage Team will trot down centerline on April 22-24, 2026 at the National Equestrian Center in Lake St. Louis, Missouri. We are proud to introduce 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

The Otterbein Hunt Seat Team will be on course May 1-3, 2026 at Tryon International in Mill Spring, North Carolina. 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

Again, Thank you for being part of what makes Otterbein so special- Go Cards!

Check out our scholarships! Priority deadline for the Equine Choose Ohio First STEM Scholarship is DECEMBER 15th, 2025 and priority deadline for our Equestrian Scholarship is JANUARY 1st, 2026! Apply today at www.otterbein.edu/equine/internships-scholarships/ or scan the QR code.