WT Ranch Horse Teams Rank Highly at World Championships

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

CANYON, Texas — West Texas A&M University’s Ranch Horse teams took two of the top spots at its final competition of the fall, and one student rider won a world championship.

One team was named reserve champion and the other came in third place in Collegiate Division 1 at the 2025 Stock Horse of Texas World Championship Show, held Oct. 24 to 26 in Abilene.

“I was pleased with the teams’ performance overall,” said Dr. Lance Baker, head coach and professor of animal science. “These high placements speak to the depth and quality of every team member. The numerous individual awards are evidence of their hard work and sacrifice this fall.”

WT’s teams ranked behind a squad from Texas Tech University, and ahead of North Central Texas College and Texas A&M University. Each school is allowed to enter up to two teams of six riders each.

Haylee Triplitt, a senior agricultural business and economics major from Gouldbusk, won the overall world championship in the limited non-pro division. She is the reigning National Intercollegiate Ranch & Stock Horse Association collegiate reserve national championship.

Marin McCarthy, a freshman equine industry and business major from Aledo, was named reserve world champion in the limited non-pro division. Also placing high in the division were Payton Porterfield, a sophomore agricultural business and economics major from Brighton, Colorado, in fourth place; and Grace Hyde, a junior agricultural business and economics major from Sherman, in eighth.

In the novice/boxing division, Tess Lewis, a junior animal science major from Colfax, Washington, finished fifth; Bella Ayers, a senior agricultural media and communication major from Canyon, finished sixth; Avery Turner, a freshman equine industry and business major from Gilmer, finished eighth; and Elizabeth Iandoli, a freshman equine industry and business major from Carmel, California, finished ninth.

In the non-pro division, Parker Ralston, a sophomore animal science major from Grand Mesa, Colorado, finished fourth; Ashley Wortham, a junior agricultural business and economics major from Wimberley, finished sixth; Cutter McLaughlin, a senior agricultural business and economics major from Amarillo, finished seventh; and Chloe Rourke, a junior agricultural media and communication major from Northfield, Massachusetts, finished ninth.

Team members also include Tucker Huseman, a senior animal science major from Ellsworth, Kansas; Bayleigh Leathers, a freshman agricultural media and communication major from Gruver; Lela Chisholm, a sophomore agricultural business and economics major from Graham; Kaylea Marionneaux, a freshman agricultural business and economics major from Zachary, Louisiana; Kailey Roberts, a freshman equine industry and business major from Austin; and Cutter Hodges, a sophomore animal science major from Happy.

Earlier this season, the team won the Aggieland Classic in Bryan.

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: West Texas A&M University's Ranch Horse teams took home several awards, including reserve championship, at the 2025 Stock Horse of Texas World Championship Show. Team members are, front from left, Kennedy Hill, Marin McCarthey, Bella Ayers, Kaylea Marionneaux, Bayleigh Leathers, Tess Lewis, Haylee Triplitt, Eden Pittman and Elizabeth Iandoli; and, back from left, Sidney Dunkel, assistant coach; Lela Chisholm; Kailey Roberts; Grace Hyde; Cutter Hodges; Tucker Huseman; Cutter McLaughlin; Parker Ralston; Avery Turner; Chloe Rourke; Payton Porterfield; Bella Bridges; and Dr. Lance Baker, head coach.

—WT—