WT Horse Judging Team Comes Within a Whisper of Fort Worth Championship

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

CANYON, Texas — A West Texas A&M University horse judging squad was named reserve champion at a recent national competition—coming just one point shy of tying the winner.

The WT team placed second behind a Texas A&M University team at the National Reined Cow Horse Judging Contest, held Feb. 22 and 23 in Fort Worth.

This is the first contest for the team under the fulltime leadership of its new coach, Dr. Christy Petry-Adams, instructor of agricultural business and economics, following the December retirement of longtime coach Dr. John Pipkin, the former Regents professor of agriculture, Paul Engler Professor of Animal Science and director of WT’s Equine Industry Program in the Department of Agricultural Sciences in the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences.

“The team’s reserve championship truly highlights their adaptability and unwavering commitment to upholding WT’s legacy of excellence in horse judging,” Petry-Adams said. “Despite the narrow loss, it’s a rallying point to push us even further in our future competitions.

“Stepping into this role after Dr. Pipkin’s retirement, I am proud to witness the continued success of our team and excited for the future and our continuing legacy of winning.”

A second WT squad came in sixth.

Three WT students also ranked in the top 10 in individual placings: Morgan Holcomb, a junior biochemistry major from Canyon, in second; Abigail Newbold, a senior agricultural business and economics major from Alvord, in fourth; and Trenton Hammerand, a senior agricultural business and economics major from Epworth, Iowa.

WT’s White squad scored 1609 points in all, breathing down the neck of the A&M squad, which scored 1601 points. A second A&M team also posted a score of 1609, but WT came out ahead in the tiebreaker.

Other competitors included Texas Tech University, the University of Arkansas and Laramie County College, among others.

WT ended its 2023 season as the winner of the National Reining Championship and third place in the American Quarter Horse Association World Championships.

The WT team next will compete in April.

Team members also include Addie Brown, a sophomore agriculture media and communication major from Beeville; Maria Mae Dyson, a senior agricultural business and economics major from Weatherford; Shana Elkins, a junior agriculture major from Dunken, New Mexico; Chloe Hamaker, a junior agriculture media and communication major from Van Wert, Iowa; Gracie Potter, a sophomore animal science major from Shallowater; and Zach Rich, a junior agriculture education major from Capitan, New Mexico.

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: Representing West Texas A&M University at the National Reined Cow Horse Judging Contest were, from left, Dr. Christy Petry-Adams, coach; Addie Brown; Zach Rich; Shana Elkins; Abigail Newbold; Morgan Holcomb; Gracie Potter; Mariah Mae Dyson; Chloe Hamaker; Trenton Hammerand; and Makenzi Knipe, assistant coach.

—WT—