Linck Wins 2026 Maclay National Championship
Kaitlyn Linck claimed the title at Tryon International, edging out reserve champion Baylee Rowan in a field of 160 horse-and-rider combinations.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Equestrian
Kaitlyn Linck won the 2026 NHS ASPCA Maclay National Championship aboard Don Touch de Tiji Z with a final score of 92.39 at Tryon International. Baylee Rowan and Lucky Spot RW finished reserve champion with a score of 90.78, while Parker Peacock and Montverdi took third with 90.63.
Why it matters
The Maclay is one of the most prominent junior equitation championships in the country, and this year's result highlights the competitive depth of the field. Linck's win follows two reserve champion finishes earlier in her 2026 indoor season.
Linck's championship score of 92.39 edged reserve champion Baylee Rowan's 90.78 by 1.61 points across a field of 160 qualifiers. Seven competitors scored in the 90s in the first round, and the source does not compare these results with prior years.
The players
Kaitlyn Linck
Kaitlyn Linck is a rider who won the 2026 Maclay National Championship aboard Don Touch de Tiji Z.
Maclay National Championship
The Maclay National Championship is a junior equitation competition established in 1933 by Alfred B. Maclay and held as part of the National Horse Show.
The details
The championship was held on the first Sunday in November at Tryon International, with competitors navigating a 15-obstacle first-round course designed by Paul Jewell followed by a flat phase. Emi Richard led after the first round with 94.25, but Baylee Rowan moved into first after the flat phase with 92.04 before Linck took the title.
Timeline
1933: Alfred B. Maclay establishes the championship.
2026 indoor season: Linck earns two reserve champion finishes before winning the title.
First Sunday in November 2026: The 2026 championship is held at Tryon International.
Season Trajectory
The Maclay National Championship, established in 1933 by Alfred B. Maclay, remains one of the signature junior equitation titles on the national calendar. Linck's win caps a 2026 indoor season in which she earned two reserve champion finishes before claiming this title.
Linck's victory adds a significant result to the junior equitation record and affects standings for riders pursuing the same championship circuit. Rowan's reserve finish and Peacock's third-place result also shape the year-end picture for competitors in the division.
The takeaway
Linck's win shows that consistency across an indoor season can build toward a national title, as her two reserve finishes preceded the championship. Competitors in similar fields can take from this that a strong first round is not always decisive, since Rowan led after the flat phase before Linck's final score prevailed.
Further reading
For more on the sport, browse the latest Equestrian coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chronofhorse.
