WT Horse Judging Team Claims Two Victories at End of Fall Season

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

WT Horse Judging Team Claims Two Victories at End of Fall Season

CANYON, Texas — West Texas A&M University’s Horse Judging team closed out the fall season with two overall championships and two individual champions.

WT came out on top of nine teams, including Texas A&M University and Texas Tech University, at the National Reining Horse Association Futurity Judging Contest on Dec. 4 in Oklahoma City.

The WT team also won the National Cutting Horse Association Futurity, held Nov. 23 in Fort Worth, besting four other competitors, including Tech, University of Arkansas and Sam Houston State University.

“The NRHA and NCHA contests stand apart from others, designed to mirror the rigorous standards professionals must meet to earn their judges’ cards,” said Dr. Christy Petry-Adams, clinical assistant professor of animal science and horse judging coach. “This semester, we matched or exceeded last year’s success, and I’m incredibly grateful to our hardworking students, dedicated assistant coaches, and the opportunity to represent the greatest university.”

Cutter McLaughlin, a junior agribusiness major from Amarillo, was the individual champion at the NRHA contest. Caoimhe Benn-Rothstein, a junior animal science / pre-vet major from Peyton, Colorado, ranked sixth overall; Andrea Byrd, a junior animal science major from Harrison, Arkansas, ranked 11th; and Morgan Holcomb, a senior biochemistry major from Canyon, ranked 17th.

Byrd was the individual champion at NCHA, and Karlee Frank, a junior animal science major from Conway, Arkansas, was reserve champion. Also ranking were Chloe Hamaker, a senior agricultural media and communication major from Van Wert, Iowa, in sixth place, and Holcomb in eighth.

Also competing at the contests was Laney Gates, a junior agricultural education major from Capitan, New Mexico.

Photo: The WT Horse Judging team took home the National Cutting Horse Association Futurity championship Nov. 23. Pictured with NCHA officials are, Laney Gates, third from left, Chloe Hamaker, Karlee Franks, Morgan Holcomb, Andie Byrd and coach Dr. Christy Adams, second from right.

The team has found considerable success throughout the fall, with a reserve championship at the American Paint Horse Association HorseIQ Collegiate World Championship on Sept. 28; a reserve championship at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress on Oct. 16; a championship at the Arabian National Horse Judging Contest on Oct. 25; and third place at the American Quarter Horse Association World Show on Nov. 10.

WT’s horse judging team is 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.

Top photo: The West Texas A&M University Horse Judging team won the National Reining Horse Association Futurity Judging Contest on Dec. 4. Pictured, with NRHA officials, are assistant coach Lyndi Starr, second from left, Laney Gates, Caoimhe Benn-Rothstein, Morgan Holcomb, Karlee Frank, Andie Byrd, Cutter McLaughlin, and coach Dr. Christy Adams, second from right.