Texas Tech University

Texas Tech Rodeo Team Takes the Spotlight at 76th Annual Event

Norman Martin | October 28, 2024

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Texas Tech University’s Rodeo Team members claimed three event championships and multiple short-round contenders at the 76th Annual Tech College Rodeo held last week at Cook’s Garage in Lubbock, report officials within the university’s Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources.

According to Interim Rodeo Coach Swaize Lee, the event champions were Dylan Young(Saddle Bronc), Cason Richey(Team Roping - Header) and Madison Bean (Barrel Racing). For their winning efforts, they took home a buckle, rifle and cash. 

Among other standout performances were:

  • Breakaway Roping | Mackinzee Dermody & Amanda Terrell split 9th - 11th in the long round. | Dermody placed 5th in the short round and 5th in the average
  • Tiedown Roping | Hayden Ford split 1st /2nd in the long round, 3rd in the short round, and 2nd in the average. 
  • Saddle Bronc | Dylan Young won 1st in the long round, 1st in the short round, and 1st in the average
  • Team Roping | Cason Richey(header) and his partner placed 9th in the long round, 1st in the short round, and 1st in the average
  • Barrel Racing | Caela Garland split 10th / 11th in the long round, 6th / 7th in the short round, and 7th in the average. Taylor Baize placed 4th in the Long Round, 6th / 7th in the short round, and 5th in the average. Madison Bean placed 1st in the long round, 1st in the short round, and 1st in the average

The Texas Tech Rodeo Team is led on an interim basis by Lee, an award-winning former team member, and Men’s Rodeo Coach Kyle VanDerLeest, a rodeo athlete with seasoned on-ranch experience. Both are under the administrative leadership of Texas Tech Equestrian Center Executive Director John Pipkin, a nationally recognized horse judging team coach and expert in equine care and industry relations.

Texas Tech’s Rodeo Team is based at the 100-acre Texas Tech Equestrian Center, which is located 10 miles southwest of the main campus. The facility’s mission is to transform lives by providing innovative, ethical, student-focused equine programs and hands-on experiences, while engaging with others to improve industry and communities. 

Home to the Texas Tech Rodeo Team, Texas Tech Equestrian Team, Horse Judging Team, Ranch Horse Team, and Therapeutic Riding & Therapy Center, the equestrian center features a 125-feet wide by 255-feet long indoor arena with offices, a covered warm-up arena, three outdoor arenas, and an outdoor warm-up arena, as well as a 180-stall barn and a five-stall barn for horses.

CONTACT: Clint Krehbiel, Dean, Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or Clint.Krehbiel@ttu.edu

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