WT Horse Judging Team Takes Arabian National Championship

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

CANYON, Texas — West Texas A&M University’s Horse Judging team notched another victory in a recent contest in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The WT team was named champion and placed first in both halter and performance at the Arabian National Horse Judging Contest on Oct. 25.

“This may have been a smaller contest, but this win means a lot,” said Dr. Christy Petry-Adams, clinical assistant professor of animal science and horse judging coach. “It was the first time some of our students have ever competed at the collegiate level and a proud reminder of the legacy we continue to uphold. Watching them step up and achieve makes me incredibly proud and excited for what’s to come.”

The team was named reserve champion at two previous contests this year: the American Paint Horse Association HorseIQ Collegiate World Championship on Sept. 28, and the All-American Quarter Horse Congress on Oct. 16.

WT defeated teams from Michigan State University and William Woods University to take the top spot.

Individually, Caoimhe Benn-Rothstein, a junior animal science / pre-vet major from Peyton, Colorado, placed first overall, first in halter, first in reasons and fifth in performance.

Andrea Byrd, a junior animal science major from Harrison, Arkansas, ranked fifth overall, fifth in halter, fourth in performance and fourth in reason. Morgan Holcomb, a senior biochemistry major from Canyon, ranked sixth overall; Lainey Gates, a junior agriculture education major from Clarendon, ranked eighth overall; and Leah Tate, a junior agribusiness and economics major from Wimberley, ranked 10th overall.

The team will next compete Nov. 10 at the American Quarter Horse Association World Show.

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’s new goal is to reach $175 million by 2025; currently, it has raised more than $160 million.

About West Texas A&M University

WT, a Regional Research 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. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 58 undergraduate degree programs, one associate degree, and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor’s and master’s degree, a specialist degree and 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: West Texas A&M University's Horse Judging team took home a championship from the Arabian National Horse Judging Contest on Oct. 25. Pictured are, from left, Laney Gates, Andie Byrd, Morgan Holcomb, Caoimhe Benn-Rothstein, Leah Tate and Dr. Christy Adams, coach.

—WT—