WT Ranch Horse Team Nabs First Win of 2025-2026 Season

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

CANYON, Texas — The West Texas A&M University Ranch Horse Team opened its season with a win at a major Texas show—the first step toward its goal of repeating a national championship.

The team won the Aggieland Classic show held Sept. 25 to 28 in Bryan, and several students earned placings in the Top 10.

“I was really pleased with the individual performances at our first show of the year,” said Dr. Lance Baker, professor of animal science and ranch horse team head coach. “We noted some areas that we need to improve on and will work on those at our next show as we get ready for our World Championship in Abilene at the end of the month.”

Marin McCarthy, a freshman agribusiness major from Fort Worth, was the champion in the limited non-pro category. Also placing in that category were Haylee Triplitt, a senior agribusiness major from Gouldbusk, in sixth; and Lela Chisholm, a freshman agribusiness major from Graham, in eighth.

In the novice category, Avery Turner, a freshman equine industry and business major from Pittsburg, placed third; Tess Lewis, a junior animal science major from Colfax, Washington, placed fourth; and Elizabeth Iandoli, a freshman equine industry and business major from Carmel Valley, California, placed sixth.

In the non-pro category, Parker Ralston, a sophomore agribusiness major from Grand Mesa, Colorado, placed fourth; Cutter McLaughlin, a senior agribusiness major from Amarillo, placed eighth; and Ashley Wortham, a senior agricultural business and economics major from Wimberley, placed 10th.

Team members also include: Bella Ayers, a senior agricultural media and communication major from Canyon; Bella Bridges, a sophomore agribusiness major from Brownsboro; Kennedy Hill, a freshman equine industry and business major from Aledo; Cutter Hodges, a sophomore agribusiness major from Happy; Tucker Huseman, a senior animal science major from Ellsworth, Kansas; Grace Hyde, a junior agribusiness major from Sherman; Bayleigh Leathers, a freshman agricultural media and communication major from Gruver; Kaylea Marionneaux, a freshman agricultural business and economics major from Zachary, Louisiana; Eydi Pittman, a freshman animal science major from College Station; Payton Porterfield, a freshman agricultural business and economics major from Brighton, Colorado; Kailey Roberts, a freshman equine industry and business major from Austin; and Chloe Rourke, a junior agricultural business and economics major from Northfield, Massachusetts.

The team next will compete Oct. 11 at the National Intercollegiate Ranch & Stock Horse Association Collegiate Show in Ardmore, Oklahoma, then at the Stock Horse of Texas World Championship Show from Oct. 24 to 26 in Abilene.

In April, the team won its first Division 1 national championship at the NIRSHA’s Collegiate National Championship Show in Amarillo. In November 2023, the team won its first Division 1 world championship at the Stock Horse of Texas World Championship in Abilene.

Such team competition is one way in which WT creates in its students a commitment to being self-reliant, courageous, resourceful and part of something larger than one’s self, as laid out in the University’s 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 has raised more than $175 million and will continue through 2025.

About West Texas A&M University

A Regional Research University, West Texas A&M University is redefining excellence in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. A Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, WT boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 66 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor’s and master’s degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. WT recently earned a Carnegie Foundation classification as a Research College and University. The University also is 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 16 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

Photo: Marin McCarthy, a freshman agribusiness major from Fort Worth, was the champion in the limited non-pro category at the Aggieland Classic show held Sept. 25 to 28 in Bryan. She is pictured with Dr. Lance Baker, professor of animal science and ranch horse team head coach.

—WT—