Emma Gurley, a senior at Emory & Henry University, achieved her childhood dream by winning a national championship at the 2025 Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association National Championship. Competing in her final collegiate event, she secured the title in the Horseware Ireland Team Intermediate Equitation Over Fences category with a score of 90 while riding the university’s horse, Romeo. This victory took place at the Tryon International Equestrian Center and marked a significant milestone in Gurley’s equestrian journey, which began when she was just a third grader.
In addition to her championship win, Gurley showcased her talent throughout the season, finishing seventh in the Intermediate on the Flat (Team) competition at nationals. Her strong performances contributed to Emory & Henry’s sixth-place finish in the overall IHSA National Finals Team standings. Prior to the national event, she also earned Reserve Champion honors at the Zone 4 Finals in Intermediate Over Fences (Team) and placed third in Intermediate on the Flat (Team), helping her team secure the Zone 4 Reserve Champion designation.
Gurley’s national championship victory serves as a fitting conclusion to her collegiate equestrian career, reflecting her growth and dedication from her early aspirations to competing at the highest level of intercollegiate equestrian sports.
