| Oct. 17, 2008 CONTACT: Dr. John Pipkin, 806-651-2550, jpipkin@wtamu.edu COPY BY: Rana McDonald, 806-651-2129, rmcdonald@wtamu.edu Horse Judging Team Takes Third Straight National Title CANYON, Texas—The West Texas A&M University horse judging team proved triumphant for the third straight year to take the top prize at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress Oct. 15 in Columbus, Ohio. WTAMU scored 3,225 points, leaving second-place Colorado State University (3,205 points) and third-place Oklahoma State University (3,194 points) behind for the national title. North Carolina State University, New Mexico State University and Texas Tech University rounded out the top six. Four members of the WTAMU team placed in the top 10 overall at the 26-team, 105-contestant event. Amy Petrie, a sophomore animal science/pre-veterinary major from Stonyford, Calif., placed third overall, followed by Randi Jameson, a sophomore agriculture major from Pueblo West, Colo., in fourth place. Rachel Olson, a junior equine business major from Alexis, Ill., placed ninth overall, and Sarah Moentmann, a junior agriculture education major from Carrollton, Mo., rounded out the list at the tenth-place berth. This win marks the 19th national or world title won by the West Texas A&M horse judging team in the last 14 years, including seven consecutive triumphs at the National Reining Horse Association National Championship, the third and final title the team will attempt to defend later this year. “Year after year this team proves what hard work, teamwork and pursuit of excellence can do,” Dr. John Pipkin, interim head of the Department of Agricultural Sciences and coach of the horse judging team, said. “I’m very proud of the team. They represented the University well and winning the national championship just made the experience even better .” Team members are listed by their hometowns , classification and majors. Alexis, Ill.
Rachel Olson, a junior equine business major
Brooklet, Ga.
Montana Smith, a senior equine business major
Carrollton, Mo.
Sarah Moentmann, a junior agriculture education major
Cincinnati, Ohio
Nikki Murray, a senior equine business major
McLean, Ill.
Jake Becker, a junior plant, soil and environmental science major
Pueblo West, Colo.
Randi Jameson, a sophomore agriculture major
Stonyford, Calif.
Amy Petrie, a sophomore animal science/pre-veterinary major —WTAMU— | 
