Wilson Takes National Championship in Open Reigning

The 2023-2024 equestrian season ended with Wilson College making unprecedented marks as Julie Warnick ‘26 (New Oxford, Pa.) won the national championship in open reining. The Phoenix family has been celebrating this amazing feat, given it is the first national title in the program’s history and in the history of Wilson College!

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Julie Warnick at Nationals

In addition to the open reigning accomplishment, Samantha Gilley ‘26 (Sykesville, Md.) placed fifth in intermediate equitation on the flat in the hunt seat discipline.

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Samantha Gilley at Nationals

This is the first time Wilson College has had a rider in the Western discipline advance to nationals. For hunt seat, it's been since 2009 that the Phoenix have been represented.

Warnick's and Gilley's road to nationals started in the regular season. On the Western side approximately 380 colleges totaling 8,000 riders attempted to obtain the qualifying points to advance to regionals. From there, the top two riders qualify for semifinals. The top four riders of each discipline, from each of the four regions, advance to nationals. Likewise, the top 16 riders in each class in hunt seat from semifinals move on to compete for the national title.

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Nota at Nationals

In addition, Wilson was invited to bring horses to the national competition in Tryon, N.C. – an honor, especially for a relatively new and growing program. The Phoenix horses won top awards, with Nota in the individual rookie event. He and his rider from the University of Findlay won the national champion title. 

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Ned at Nationals

Ned, a new addition to the Wilson equestrian program, showed in the individual open reining. He and his rider from North Carolina State University were reserve national champions.

Perry, also a new addition to the Wilson program, was in the individual rookie class, where he and his rider from the University of Findlay won third place.

Congratulations to Warnick, Gilley, Nota, Ned, and Perry. Students, horses, and coaches alike represented Wilson well and have positioned the College’s equestrian teams for greater achievement in years to come.