WT Horse Judging Team Prepares for Worlds After Recent High-Ranking Contests

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

CANYON, Texas — The West Texas A&M University horse judging team ranked highly at a recent national competition ahead of upcoming world-championship contests.

The team ranked third overall among all teams at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress on Oct. 11 in Columbus, Ohio.

The WT team ranked second in the halter category and third in performance and reasons. Its overall standing put it behind only Oklahoma State University and Texas A&M University, with only 28 points separating the first- and third-place teams.

“The team had an excellent performance,” said head coach Dr. John Pipkin, Regents professor of agriculture and director of WT’s Equine Industry Program. “Every team member has been working hard for over a year getting ready for this competition, especially the last four months. I am really excited for them as they are still far from their best as a team and are willing to continue to work to improve as they get ready for the final two competitions of the year in the next three weeks.”

In individual rankings, Addison Shireman, a junior animal science major from Argos, Indiana, placed third overall, fifth in halter, third in performance and fourth in reasons. Haley Bucher, a junior equine industry and business major from Washington, Illinois, ranked fifth in reasons and eighth overall. Lindsey Sawin, a senior agricultural media and communication major from Vernon, ranked ninth in performance. Samantha Faber, a junior equine industry and business major from Maple Park, Illinois, ranked 10th in reasons.

Koelle Brandenberger, a senior agribusiness and economics major from Corona, New Mexico, also competed.

The team will next compete Nov. 2 at the American Quarter Horse Association World Championships and Nov. 3 in the AQHA/National Reining Horse Association reining contest, both in Oklahoma City.

Previously, the team ranked third overall at the American Paint Horse Association Collegiate World Championship, held Sept. 30 in Fort Worth. The team—which ranked behind Texas A&M and Oklahoma State—placed third in halter, second in performance and fourth in reasons.

Individually, Shireman placed third overall, sixth in halter, first in performance and fifth in reasons. Bucher ranked seventh overall, fifth in performance and seventh in both halter and reasons.

WT’s horse judging teams are one of the ways the University is responsive to regional needs, as set out in its long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign’s new goal is to reach $175 million by 2025; currently, it has raised more than $150 million.

About West Texas A&M University

WT is located in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of about 10,000 and offers 59 undergraduate degree programs and more than 40 graduate degrees, including two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

Photo: West Texas A&M University's horse judging team recently placed third in All-American Quarter Horse Congress. Pictured are Dr. John Pipkin, head coach, from left; Haley Bucher; Addison Shireman; Lindsey Sawin; Samantha Faber; Koelle Brandenberger; and Makenzie Knipe, coach. (Photo courtesy Shane Rux)

—WT—