The Coach

Dr. Kelly Riccitelli 

Head Coach 

Dr. Riccitelli took the reins as the head horse judging coach in 2014. Under her guidance the Texas Tech Horse Judging team has grown in numbers and captured several titles, most recently being named the 2018 Reserve Champion Team at the National Reining Horse Association contest. The team has also had high point individuals at the All American Quarter Horse Congress and AQHA World Show contests.

Prior to joining the Texas Tech faculty, Riccitelli worked as an equestrian instructor and manager of arena events at Still Creek Ranch in Bryan. She also served as director of the equine management program at Colby Community College in Colby, Kansas; horse center manager and lecturer at Texas A&M University; and lecturer in animal science at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. Industry experience includes being the horse breeding and stallion manager at 6J Paint Horses, Hopes Creek Appaloosa Ranch, Arhopulos Quarter Horses, Little Bear Ranch and other private breeding farms.

Riccitelli received her bachelor's degree in animal science from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. Her master's degree in animal science (physiology of reproduction) is from the University of Nevada-Reno. Her doctorate in physiology of reproduction-animal science is from Texas A&M University.