Portraits by Maddy Falkowitz
Hunter-jumper rider Alex Alston has earned plenty of titles throughout his career, but none fully capture what has made him one of the most respected young horsemen of his generation. From a standout Junior career to back-to-back IHSA Cacchione Cup Championships while riding for SCAD, Alston’s success has been built on adaptability, preparation and an unwavering commitment to horsemanship.
“I’ve always believed that the horses come first,” Alex said. “If you focus on learning from them every day, the results usually take care of themselves.”
That philosophy has followed him through every stage of his career—from early lessons in Ohio to the collegiate championship stage—and continues to define the way he rides today.
Long before championship ribbons and national recognition, Alex was simply a horse-crazy kid from Gahanna, Ohio. Raised in a family where competition and athletics were part of everyday life, he was exposed to a wide range of sports growing up. He tried many of them, but nothing ever captured his attention the way horses did. While other activities came and went, the barn remained constant. “I was always the kid who wanted to be at the barn,” Alex said. “If I wasn’t riding, I was thinking about riding. Horses were pretty much all I wanted to do once I found the sport.”
What began as curiosity quickly became commitment. The barn turned into a second home, and horses became the center of his world. Early mornings, long days and countless hours in the saddle transformed riding from a hobby into a lifestyle.
As his skills developed, so did his ambitions. His early education in the sport came through local training with Lindsay Yinger Show Stables under Lindsay Yinger, where he first built a foundation in correct basics, work ethic and horsemanship. That early structure shaped how he would later approach every program he entered.
From there, his journey led him to more advanced development before ultimately stepping into one of the nation’s premier hunter-jumper programs: North Run.
At North Run, Alex trained under Missy Clark, John Brennan and Maggie Gampfer, entering an environment known for producing top Junior and Professional riders. Surrounded by elite athletes and exceptional horses, he was challenged daily in a way that accelerated both his competitive ability and his horsemanship.
“Being at North Run pushed me every day,” Alex said. “You’re surrounded by talented riders and great horses, so you learn quickly that you have to keep improving if you want to stay competitive.”
For many riders, the Junior years serve as a proving ground. At North Run, that process becomes intensified—discipline, precision and preparation are expected at every level. Alex embraced that structure fully.
Rather than being defined by a single horse, Alex’s Junior career was shaped by a series of horses, each contributing something different to his development. Each horse brought a unique feel, forcing him to adjust, learn and grow.
“Every horse teaches you something different,” Alex said. “Some teach you patience, some teach you confidence and some just make you better without you realizing it at the time.”
One horse might sharpen his accuracy, another might demand more feel, and another might test his ability to stay composed under pressure. Together, they built a rider who learned to rely not on repetition, but on adaptability. That adaptability would become one of his defining strengths. “The more horses you ride, the more tools you have when you walk into a new situation,” he said.
Every round added another layer of experience. Every partnership added another perspective. And over time, those lessons began to compound. As Alex progressed through the Junior ranks, opportunities began to extend beyond national competition.
He was selected to represent the United States on Young Rider teams, an honor reserved for a small group of riders each year. Unlike professional team competitions, Young Rider teams operate in a developmental structure, but the experience still carries the weight and pride of representing one’s country.
For Alex, receiving the team coat marked a meaningful milestone. “Putting on the Young Riders team coat is something every young rider dreams about,” he said. “It was an incredible honor and one of those moments I’ll never forget.”
While equestrian sport is often viewed as individual, team competition introduces a different mindset. Riders are not only responsible for their own performance, but also for contributing to a collective result.
The experience reinforced lessons he was already learning: Preparation matters, adaptability matters and consistency under pressure matters most of all.
After graduating from the Junior ranks, Alex faced a decision familiar to many top riders: pursue a professional career immediately or continue developing while earning a degree. His chosen path led him to Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), home to one of the most successful collegiate equestrian programs in the country.
Unlike traditional horse shows, collegiate competition through the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) removes the advantage of familiarity. Riders draw unfamiliar horses and have only minutes to assess and adapt before entering the ring.
Success is not about repetition—it’s about feel. “Success comes from being ready for whatever horse walks through the in-gate,” Alex said. Riders must quickly evaluate stride, balance, responsiveness and temperament, often relying on brief warm-ups and observation of other competitors.
For many, the format is a challenge. For Alex, it felt familiar. Years of riding a wide variety of horses had already trained him to adapt quickly. Instead of relying on repetition, he relied on observation, feel and trust in his instincts. “It comes down to learning as much as you can in a short amount of time,” he said. “You watch, you listen, and then you trust your feel.”
Few accomplishments in collegiate equestrian carry the weight of the IHSA Cacchione Cup. In 2025, Alex claimed the title, marking a defining moment in his career. The Cacchione Cup represents the highest level of individual achievement in collegiate riding, rewarding consistency, adaptability and performance under pressure across multiple phases.
But the victory carried significance beyond the title itself. With the win, Alex became the first male rider of color to claim the Cacchione Cup. The milestone resonated throughout the equestrian community, where representation remains an important and evolving conversation. For many young riders, seeing someone break through at the highest level can reshape what feels possible.
While Alex remained focused on the riding itself, the broader impact of the moment was undeniable.
In addition to his Cacchione Cup success, Alex also maintained an unprecedented collegiate record at SCAD—winning every major class at nationals from his freshman year through his senior year, consistently performing at the top level throughout his academic career.
Winning once is difficult. Defending a title is often harder. In 2026, Alex returned to the national stage and delivered again, capturing a second consecutive IHSA Cacchione Cup championship. The repeat victory placed him in rare company and further solidified his reputation as one of collegiate equestrian’s most consistent and composed competitors.
For Alex, the result reinforced a theme that has defined his entire journey: Adaptability is not just a skill, it’s a competitive advantage.
Throughout his career, Alex has been supported by a network of people who recognized his potential early and invested in his development. A particularly influential figure has been his longtime sponsor, Juanita Furuta, who has owned and supported horses for him for over a decade. Her commitment, along with the guidance of his early trainers, including Lindsay Yinger and his North Run team of Missy Clark, John Brennan and Maggie Gampfer, played a major role in shaping his path.
“I’ve been very fortunate to have people in my corner who believe in me,” Alex said. “Their support has made a huge difference, and I’m grateful for it every day.” He also credits his parents for their constant support throughout his journey, both in and out of the ring.
Despite everything he has achieved, Alex continues to approach the sport with curiosity and respect for the process. That mindset—remaining a student of the sport regardless of accolades—is what continues to separate him from many of his peers.
Horsemanship, as he often describes it, is never finished. Every horse presents a new question. Every ride offers a new answer.
For Alex, the next chapter is already unfolding. While continuing his education at SCAD, he remains focused on growing as both a rider and horseman, with long-term goals of competing at the highest levels of the sport while building a sustainable career in the equestrian industry.
His journey so far has been defined by adaptability, patience and an unwavering respect for the horses that have carried him through each stage. And if his career has proven anything, it’s that he adapts not just to competition—but to greatness itself.
Follow Alex on Instagram @alex__alston
Photos by Maddy Falkowitz, maddyfalkowitz.com
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