Two More WT Equestrian Riders Advance to Regionals; Team Wins Tarleton Contest

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

CANYON, Texas — Two more West Texas A&M University riders advanced to regionals following a recent equestrian competition.

Brooke Forsee, a senior animal science / pre-vet major from Kingman, Arizona, and Myleigh Lindsey, a senior equine industry and business major from Pensacola, Oklahoma, each qualified for regional hunt seat team competition, set for March 8 in Oklahoma City.

The hunt seat team won the Nov. 1 and 2 contest at Tarleton State University and took home 12 individual wins. Violet Hodgson, a junior agricultural media and communication major from Geneseo, Illinois, and Sabrina Welch, a freshman equine industry and business major from The Colony, tied for reserve high point rider Nov. 1, and Welch was reserve high point rider Nov. 2.

The team outscored competitors from Tarleton, Texas Tech University, the University of Oklahoma, the University of North Texas, New Mexico State University and Southern Nazarene University.

In October, the team won its first regular season show at the University of Oklahoma, where two riders also qualified for regionals.

Individual winners also included Muireann Benn-Rothstein, a junior biology major from Peyton, Colorado; Cat Borchardt, a sophomore equine industry and business major from The Woodlands; Amber Cox, a junior equine industry and business major from Smithville; Hannah Minton, a junior animal science major from Lynnville, Indiana; Jayden Stater, a sophomore animal science / pre-vet major from Bushland; Ashley Vaught, a freshman equine industry and business major from Zionsville, Indiana; and Lexi Woestman, a junior marketing major from Fort Worth.

Team members also include Samantha Lightbourne, a junior animal science / pre-vet major from Bedford; Helen March, a junior agricultural business and economics major from Orlando; Samantha Taylor, a sophomore animal science / pre-vet major from Splendora; and Emma Thomas, a sophomore pre-vet major from San Antonio.

The team will next compete Feb. 14 and 15 at Texas Tech.

WT sent its equestrian teams to the national championships in 2024, winning an individual championship and securing several other Top 10 placements.

WT’s equestrian teams are an example of the University’s responsiveness to the Texas Panhandle, as outlined 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: The West Texas A&M University hunt seat team recently won a contest at Tarleton State University. Team members are, front from left, Sabrina Welch, Emma Thomas, Samantha Taylor, Muireann Benn-Rothstein, Jayden Stater and Catherine Borchardt, and, back from left, Coach Lori Jaixen, Samantha Lightbourn, Lexi Woestman, Brooke Forsse, Myleigh Lindsey, Hannah Minton, Ashley Vaught, Amber Cox, Helen March, Jenna Arens, Violet Hodgson.

—WT—