Chance O'Neal saddles up as Texas Tech's new ranch horse team coach
Chance O'Neal, a world-champion horseman and internationally-experienced trainer, has been named Texas Tech's new ranch horse team coach, according to officials within the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. He officially steps into his new post on Aug. 1.
In terms of professional accomplishments, O'Neal has a trophy case of wins under his belt including the 2008 Inaugural American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Ranch Versatility World Champion; 2009 Reserve AQHA Ranch Versatility World Champion; 2010 Bronze AQHA Ranch Versatility; and the 2005 Best of Americas Ranch Horse Association of America Horse of the Year.
O'Neal is currently the owner of O'Neal Horse Training in Guthrie. Prior to that he evaluated, prepared and showed horses for Burnett Ranches (6666 Ranch) in Guthrie. He also trained cutting horses at Russell Harrison Cutting Horses in Dean, in addition to working as a cowboy at the WT Waggoner Estate in Vernon and the Beggs Cattle Company in Post. In addition, O'Neal has 12 years of experience teaching clinics in Argentina, Costa Rica, Panama, United States, and Uruguay.
O'Neal is taking the reins of team that's already a national powerhouse. Earlier this spring Tech's Ranch Horse Team took first place honors and a national championship title at the American Stock Horse Association (ASHA) National Collegiate Championship Show in Ardmore, Okla. It's the fifth time in seven years these top riders from the Texas South Plains have won in their sport's top prize.
Previously, Texas Tech won the ASHA National Championship in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013. The Tech team consists of members who ride individual horses and compete in four separate events: stock horse pleasure, trail, reining and working cow horse. Students are divided into three separate divisions, based on their previous showing experience and years of riding.
Program officials note that the purpose of the ASHA national championship competition is to encourage and provide opportunities for competitors to enter the stock/ranch horse industry. Participants also advocate for the preservation of heritage and tradition of the functional ranch horse. The ASHA National Championship Collegiate Stock Horse Show is managed by the American Stock Horse Association and the local host college.
Written by Norman Martin
CONTACT: Michael Orth, chairman, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2805 or michael.orth@ttu.edu
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