WT Horse Judging Team Takes Second at AQHA World Show
Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu
CANYON, Texas — The West Texas A&M University Horse Judging team placed second and scored highly across the board at the prestigious American Quarter Horse Association World Show.
WT’s team was reserve champion, behind only Oklahoma State University in a field of 10 teams from around the country.
“I am beyond proud of this team for earning reserve championship at the AQHA World Show,” said Dr. Christy Petry-Adams, coach and clinical assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural Sciences in the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences. “So many teams dream of taking home a globe in one of the top three positions. Every long practice, early morning, and tough class paid off.”
The WT team was first place in reasons, second in performance and fourth in halter.
Charli Wells, a sophomore animal science / pre-vet major from Holdrege, Nebraska, won the limited division, placing first in performance, third in reasons and sixth in halter.
In the senior division, Kurtlee Smith, a sophomore equine industry and business major from Athens, was fourth overall, placing third in performance and reasons and ninth in halter. Caoimhe Benn-Rothstein, a senior animal science / pre-vet major from Peyton, Colorado, was seventh overall, fourth in reasons, sixth in halter and 11th in performance. Madilynn Campbell, a junior animal science / pre-vet major from Big Cabin, Oklahoma, was 12th overall, fourth in halter and sixth in reasons.
Also placing was Bella Bridges, a sophomore agribusiness major from Brownsboro, who came in 10th in performance and in reasons.
Also competing were Nathan Allison, a junior equine industry and business major from Guthrie, Oklahoma, and Abigail Wiles, a sophomore agriculture education major from Lincoln, Arkansas.
The contest was held Nov. 11 in Oklahoma City. The WT team outscored competitors from Texas A&M University, Penn State University and Kansas State University, among others.
In October, the team took home a reserve championship at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress in Ohio.
The team also is coached by assistant coaches Rylee McKinney, a graduate student in animal science from Brady; Simone Allen, a graduate student agriculture from Lebanon, Tennessee; and Lyndi Starr, a graduate student in agriculture from Mount Vernon.
WT’s horse judging teams are one of the ways the University is responsive to regional needs, as set 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: The West Texas A&M University Horse Judging team recently won a reserve championship at the American Quarter Horse Association Wolrd Show. Pictured are, from left, Assistant Coach Rylee McKinney, Charli Wells, Bella Bridges, Caoimhe Benn-Rothstein, Madilynn Campbell, Kurtlee Smith, Abigail Wiles, Nathan Allison, Assistant Coach Simone Allen and Head Coach Dr. Christy Petry-Adams.
—WT—