West Texas A&M University is home to the 2018 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) champions after its horse judging team won first place in the senior college division at the NRHA Championship Nov. 27-29 at Oklahoma City. The win marks the University’s 14th NRHA champion team as well as its 113th champion or reserve champion team or individual world or national award.
The WTAMU team finished first overall with a total of 3,718 points. Texas Tech University followed in second place with 3,673 points, and Texas A&M University placed third with 3,650 points. Oklahoma State University and the University of Wyoming rounded out the top five winning teams. A total of 14 teams and 75 contestants competed at the annual event.
Four WTAMU team members were recognized in individual placings. The students got the opportunity to judge some of the best reining horses in the world, and the contest included a closed rulebook written exam, a penalty clip test on rule infractions judged on video and two sets of scoring 10 horses from the actual show where contestant placings and scores are compared to the show judges. Aubrey Brandenberger, a junior agribusiness/equine industry and business major from Claunch, N.M., placed first overall in the individual competition. Her teammate, Jessica Looman, a junior agribusiness/equine industry and business major from Durango, Colo., placed third overall. Kate Warner, a junior agribusiness/equine industry and business major from Lakeview, Ore., placed fifth overall, and Wyatt Marshall, a senior agribusiness/equine industry and business major from Burlington, Colo., placed seventh in the individual competition.
“The team truly earned this victory,” Dr. John Pipkin, director of the equine industry program and coach of the horse judging team, said. “They have been working diligently to prepare for months, years in some cases, to be able to perform this well. Each team member has shown determination and perseverance to continually improve and grow themselves. While WT and I can be really proud of their success, I am most proud of how well they have represented themselves and the University. Their performance and successes this fall continue to bring international recognition to WT—an elite level that few programs ever reach.”
Members of the team are listed by their hometowns along with their classification and majors.
Burlington, Colo.
Wyatt Marshall, senior agribusiness/equine industry and business major
Claunch, N.M.
Aubrey Brandenberger, junior agribusiness/equine industry and business major
Durango, Colo.
Jessica Looman, junior agribusiness/equine industry and business major
Hannibal, Mo.
Andrea Althoff, junior plant, soil and environmental sciences major
Huntington, Ind.
Courtney Coffman, junior agriculture communication major
Lakeview, Ore.
Kate Warner, junior agribusiness/equine industry and business major
Sedona, Ariz.
Kendall Woellmer, junior agriculture communication major
-West Texas A&M University
