Maegan Pearson’s mother, Christine, grew up around horses and she and her husband, Dave, wanted to share that quality of life opportunity with their daughters. Maegan has taken her family’s passion for horse riding to heart and now, as a freshman at Wilmington College, qualified to compete at the International Horse Show Association (IHSA) Championships.

She is heading to Mill Spring, North Carolina this week for the nationals at Tryon International Horse Park from May 3-5. Pearson qualified by placing second in Level 2 Horsemanship at the IHSA Western Semifinals held at Tennessee State University earlier this spring. The IHSA has 400-plus member colleges with 10,000 student equestrians.

“I’m still in shock that I qualified for nationals my first year in IHSA as a Wilmington College Quaker,” she said. “I feel ecstatic but also nervous. I am confident I can do well but, at the same time, you never know what kind of a horse you will draw for your event.”

While this is her first year competing in IHSA, Pearson is no stranger to equestrian competition as her college experience follows great success competing in the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA).

“That was different than being on a college team. I love being a part of the Wilmington College equestrian team,” she said. “Here at the college, I am able to see my teammates every day and become close friends with everyone. The team gives off a family vibe that most people wouldn’t expect. We are all there for each other and want to see each member succeed in their equestrian career.”

WC’s equestrian team boasts a whopping several dozen members. It’s believed to be one of the largest teams in IHSA — at one of the smallest schools.

Pearson was joined at the IHSA Western Semifinals by teammates Christopher “CJ” Martin, a senior and Zone 6 Region 2 reserve champion who showed in open reining and open horsemanship; Madison Johnson, a junior and Zone 6 Level 2 champion who showed in open horsemanship and ranch riding; and Hannah Glaze, a sophomore who never competed before coming to WC. She was the Zone 6 Region 2 champion in beginner walk trot horsemanship.

The equestrian team last enjoyed success on the national level in 2022 when Ciara Lawson, Ashley Howard Brooke Pitts qualified with Pitts placing fourth in the nation

Pearson grew up trail riding and showing in 4-H, which led to traveling the country while successfully showing at the AQHA national level. Her first year of college has been a learning experience from which she has successfully emerged. “I have not always been a good example of balancing time correctly, but this whole school year has taught me how to be a better student and athlete,” she said. “I have learned how to keep ahead in school and still maintain time to make it to the barn every day.”

She credits the support from her parents and WC coaches, Stephanie McConnell-Hill and Betsie Moore. “My parents have pushed me to become a better equestrian every time I swing my leg over a horse,” Pearson said, adding how much she also appreciates their significant financial commitment made throughout her equestrian career. “Also, I feel like I’ve been successful this year also due to my coaches. I had hoped to make it to nationals my freshman year and with hard work, I have achieved it. I hope to inspire the incoming freshmen to strive for goals that may seem unreachable at the beginning.”

Randal Sarvis is the senior director of public relations, Wilmington College.