Equine Team | 11/26/2025 10:00:00 AM
CANYON, Texas — The OPSU Equestrian Team had an outstanding showing at their recent IHSA competition hosted by West Texas A&M University, bringing together determination, teamwork and impressive results. 11 OPSU riders competed across 24 total classes and returned home with 20 class placings.
Leading the team's success was standout rider Mitchell Addison-Ullom, who secured a fourth place finish in Level 2 Western Horsemanship—qualifying him for the 2026 IHSA Regional Championship and advancing him into Open Horsemanship. Ullom also delivered a strong performance in Open Reining, placing second and moving one step closer to regional qualification in that division as well.
Several other riders contributed key placings for the team:
- Adaelia Wiebe placed 3rd and 6th in Beginner Horsemanship.
- Ashlyn Eisenman earned 2nd and 5th in Rookie Horsemanship.
- Cami Kenny secured 2nd and 6th in Beginner Horsemanship.
- Eva Johnson placed 3rd and 4th in Open Reining, inching closer to regional qualification in the division.
- Jolina Demann claimed a 1st place victory and added a 4th in Rookie Horsemanship.
- Sydney Carey posted finishes of 4th and 5th in Rookie Horsemanship.
- Paige Pearson earned two 6th place finishes in Rookie Horsemanship.
- Taydem Perryman rounded out the placings with 5th and 6th in Level 1 Horsemanship.
Additional traveling team members included Karlee Callahan, Nahomy Corral-Olivas, and Katelynn Skinner, who supported the team's efforts throughout the weekend.
Head coach Kacey Ward praised the team's progress following the competition.
"We had huge improvements from our first show to this show," Ward said. The team faced tough competition and large classes this weekend, but they all showed up ready to improve and do their best. We are working hard to keep the momentum strong into the spring semester."
With consistent improvement and growing confidence, the OPSU Equestrian Team continues to build a promising season as they prepare for upcoming competitions.
