MILL SPRING, N.C. - After giving the Midway hunt seat program an achievement it hadn't had in over two decades, Reese Dorsey is eager to duplicate her success when she returns to the national spotlight this weekend.

At the 2025 Intercollegiate Horse Show Association National Championships, Dorsey secured a national title in limit flat, becoming the first Eagle rider to win a championship since 2004.

"The last time someone won was the year I was born, so that was pretty crazy," Dorsey said. "It was really nice to represent Midway that way."

And after moving up a division, she enters the 2026 Championships eager "to keep the streak going" as she competes in intermediate flat.

Despite her success a season ago, the transition to intermediate wasn't always a smooth one, as Dorsey admits it took her longer than she hoped to get her footing.

"It's been kind of a rocky season for me," she said. "I started off a bit rough, didn't have some great rides. But as the season progressed, I think I got my confidence back."

That confidence was on full display at the IHSA Zone 6 Championships in March, where she locked up another national berth with a first-place ride.

Dorsey is now hoping for a repeat of that performance this weekend, thinking the triumph of her national debut last season will be a calming influence during her return.

"I guess I'm less nervous than last year because I've done it," she said. "Now I'm just excited...better prepared for this year.

"I'm (hoping) to win. Obviously that's the goal. But my main goal is to give the horse a good confident ride and make my coaches happy."

The 2026 IHSA National Championships will be held at the Tryon International Indoor Complex in Mill Spring, N.C. Intermediate flat competition will take place on May 1.