Equine Team | 4/16/2025 3:55:00 PM

The Oklahoma Panhandle State University Equestrian Team is making history this season, with two riders qualifying for the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association National Championship Show in Mill Spring, North Carolina—marking the team's first national qualifiers in a decade.

On March 15, team members Eva Johnson and Mitchell Addison-Ullom competed at the IHSA Western Semifinals against riders from 24 universities nationwide, all vying for a coveted spot at Nationals.

Mitchell Addison-Ullom was the first to compete, riding in the Level 2 Ranch Riding class. Despite a challenging horse draw, Mitchell delivered an impressive performance that earned him a fourth-place finish and secured his spot at the National Championship.

Eva Johnson followed shortly after, competing in the highly competitive Open Reining class. She drew a familiar horse she had shown in previous competitions and rode confidently and precisely, finishing fourth and qualifying for Nationals.
With these outstanding rides, Eva and Mitchell now rank among the top 12 riders in the nation in their respective divisions—Eva in Open Reining and Mitchell in Level 2 Ranch Riding. They are only the second and third riders in OPSU history to qualify for the IHSA National Championship Show, a remarkable accomplishment for the athletes and the university.

The National Championship will take place May 2–4 in Mill Spring, North Carolina, where the best collegiate western riders in the country will compete for national titles.

This momentous achievement is a testament to the dedication, talent, and hard work of the OPSU Equestrian Team, and it marks a new era of excellence for the program.