"West Texas A&M University’s horse judging team opened its competitive season with an overall third-place finish at the American Paint Horse Association Collegiate World Championship Sept. 22 in Fort Worth. The team took a first-place in halter, fifth in reasons and sixth in performance.
The WTAMU team earned a total of 2,239 points to garner the third-place berth. Black Hawk College took first place with 2,280 points, followed by Oklahoma State University at second with 2,248 points. The event brought in 82 contestants and 25 teams competing in halter, performance and reasons.
In individual placings, Kyle Vanderleest, a junior animal science major from Morrison, Ill., finished as the Reserve Champion overall with a second in halter and ninth in performance. Teammates Brooke Parrish, a junior agribusiness/equine industry and business major from Elmwood, Ill., placed fourth in halter, and Lauren Moore, a junior agriculture communication major from Canyon, placed 10th in halter.
“This was an outstanding start to the fall season,” Dr. John Pipkin, director of the equine industry program and coach of the horse judging team, said. “The team has been preparing for some time and were eager to finally compete. I am certain their performance will help give them confidence in their abilities and competitiveness in the three remaining competitions this season.”
The WTAMU horse judging team will compete Oct. 18 at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio.
Members of the team are listed by their hometowns along with their classification and majors.
Allen
Catherine Johnson, junior agribusiness/equine industry and business major
Canyon
Lauren Moore, junior agriculture communication major
Clovis, N.M.
Kyla Myers, junior agriculture communication major
Elmwood, Ill.
Brooke Parrish, junior agribusiness/equine industry and business major
Kingston, Wash.
Madison Worland, junior agribusiness/equine industry and business major
Morrison, Ill.
Kyle Vanderleest, junior animal science major
Needham, Ind.
Katy Hawkins, junior agriculture education major
Rhome
Paighton Kelly, junior agribusiness/equine industry and business major
Wolfforth
Arienne Martinez, junior agribusiness/equine industry and business major"
-West Texas A&M University
