WT Horse Judging Team Scores at AQHA World Show

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

CANYON, Texas — West Texas A&M University’s Horse Judging team placed third overall at a highly competitive annual competition.

Additionally, the team earned second-place finishes in both performance and reasons at the American Quarter Horse Association World Show, held Nov. 10 in Oklahoma City.

“I am incredibly proud of this team for earning third at this contest,” said Dr. Christy Petry-Adams, clinical assistant professor of animal science and horse judging coach. “This placing is a testament to their dedication, hard work and talent.”

WT’s team most recently took home a championship at the Oct. 25 Arabian National Horse Judging Contest, following back-to-back reserve championships earlier in the season.

At AQHA World, WT was a close third behind Texas A&M University and Middle Tennessee State University.

Individually, Aislin McStay, a junior agricultural media and communication major from Liberty Hill, placed first in reasons, seventh overall, sixth in performance and 12th in halter.

Other Top 10 individual placings were claimed by Andrea Byrd, a junior animal science major from Harrison, Arkansas, who came in ninth in halter; Chloe Hamaker, a senior agricultural media and communication major from Van Wert, Iowa, who placed eighth in halter; and Karlee Frank, a junior animal science major from Conway, Arkansas, who placed fifth in reasons and 10th in performance.

Also competing were Katelynn Horn, a junior animal science major from Springdale, Arkansas, and Zachary Rich, a junior agriculture education major from Capitan, New Mexico.

The team will next compete Nov. 22 at the National Cutting Horse Association Futurity.

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 Univeristy's Horse Judging team placed third at the Nov. 10 American Quarter Horse Association World Show in Oklahoma City. Pictured are, from left, assistant coach Lyndi Starr, Zachary Rich, Andrea Byrd, Katelynn Horn, Karlee Frank, Chloe Hamaker, Aislin McStay and coach Dr. Christy Petry-Adams.

—WT—