The Texas Tech Horse Judging Team was well represented at the National Reined Cow Horse Judging Contest in Fort Worth, Texas on February 21 and 22. The team brought home the champion collegiate team title, along with many individual placings.
'The team members have been diligent for weeks in their preparation for this specialized competition. As a result, they learned a great deal from this competitive, experiential learning event.'
Individual results include High Individual overall, Jacy Messick; 3rd High Individual, Elizabeth Gaus-Schmidt; 4th High Individual, Alissa Anderson; 5th High Individual: Olivia York; and 6th High Individual, Katherine Miller. Additional team members include Maeghan Evans, Emma Garrett, Adrianna Goolsby, and Catherine Hayden.
John Pipkin, head coach of the horse judging team and director of the Texas Tech Equestrian Center, said he is proud of the team’s preparation and performance.
“The team members have been diligent for weeks in their preparation for this specialized competition. As a result, they learned a great deal from this competitive, experiential learning event,” Pipkin said.
Along with the team’s success, there were also many individuals who brought home championships from Fort Worth. Jacy Messick, high individual overall at the NRCHA judging contest, said the experience was one she is grateful for.
“It was such an incredible learning experience, and I gained so much from being able to compete and grow alongside our team,” Messick said. “I’m especially thankful to have had the chance to represent Texas Tech University and Davis College.”
The team, led by Pipkin and Assistant Coach Haley Bucher, is looking forward to building the momentum as they head into the remainder of their judging season with plans to attend contests in April and then moving forward with the American Paint Horse Association contest, All-American Quarter Horse Congress, and the American Quarter Horse Association World Championship contests in the fall.
CONTACT: Chance Brooks, Chair and Professor, Department of Animal & Food Sciences, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or chance.brooks@ttu.edu
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