The Texas A&M Ranch Horse Team is celebrating 20 years of programs that help students grow as riders, teammates and leaders. The team marked its anniversary by winning the overall World Champion Team title at the Stock Horse of Texas World Show in Abilene. Texas A&M also took the Go 1 Team Championship and the Go 2 Reserve Championship, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Today.
Several students placed highly as individuals. Aaron Kendrick, of the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, placed first in collegiate novice all-around. Ava Dora, of the Department of Agricultural Economics, took first in collegiate novice reining. Ella Fowler, of the Department of Animal Science, placed first in collegiate non-pro pleasure and second in collegiate non-pro all-around.
The program started in 2006 as a Stock Horse Advanced Training course in the Texas A&M Department of Animal Science. It later became a club and then a competitive team. B.F. Yeates, then a state horse specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, coached the first team. The team now competes in trail, ranch pleasure, reining and working cowhorse events. Paige Linne, senior lecturer of equine science and the team's coach, said the team builds leaders for the equine industry.