MILL SPRING, N.C. - After taking different paths to the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association National Championships, Tate Gill and Lauren Arens-Ennis will look to represent the Midway western team well during competition this weekend.

Gill, a senior and reserve national champion in level-two horsemanship last season, will conclude his time at Midway with a return trip, while Arens-Ennis will make her national debut to conclude a breakthrough junior season.

Here is a look ahead for each rider going into this weekend's National Championships at the Tryon International Indoor Complex in Mill Spring, N.C.

Tate Gill

DIVISION: Open horsemanship

DATE OF COMPETITION: May 1

In the week before nationals were set to start, Gill thought his college riding career had ended.

Competing at the IHSA Semifinals in March, he had just missed earning an automatic bid in the open division. Only the top-four riders earn an invitation, while Gill finished fifth.

But on April 21, he got a surprise call, telling him that one of the qualifiers had to drop out, giving him an opportunity to extend his career as an Eagle.

"It was definitely a surprise," he said of the invitation. "I'm thankful for the opportunity to even get to do this one more time in college. This is my last run at it."

Knowing what it takes to succeed at this level, he says he feels prepared to build on last year's reserve championship success while facing some significant competition.

"I feel a lot more confident because I know (how nationals work) already because I've been there," he said. "I'm definitely going to be excited about this year's run (because) we're competing with the elite of the elite. I'm excited to take on the challenge."

Lauren Arens-Ennis

DIVISION: Level-one horsemanship

DATE OF COMPETITION: May 2

After making major strides in the 2025-26 campaign, Arens-Ennis credits her success to improved preparations throughout the season.

"I was just working out more, spending more time in the gym, building muscle and practicing," she said. "I have more of a routine and it paid off."

That routine seemed to make her even stronger as the year went along, as Arens-Ennis' performance peaked during the postseason.

She finished in first place in level-one horsemanship at the IHSA Regional Shows on Feb. 28, then followed that up three weeks later with a reserve champion showing at the IHSA semifinals, clinching her first ever national spot.

Despite her lack of experience at the sport's biggest event, Arens-Ennis thinks her preparations will prevent her from succumbing to the pressure.

"It's nerve-wracking, definitely," she said. "But you just have to be confident in your riding ability and that you can handle it.

(Coach Kaitlyn Howe) has prepared me to do as best as I can. Whatever comes, I can handle it."