Ranch Horse Team Wins National Title

Written by Cory Chandler

Texas Tech University’s Ranch Horse Team clenched the American Stock Horse Association (ASHA) National Championship at the Texas Tech Equestrian Center.

The win culminated an undefeated season and eight individual class national championships to go along with the team’s crown.

“We’re blessed and honored to be named the first-ever national champion Ranch Horse Team at the inaugural ASHA National Championship Collegiate Stock Horse Show,” said Coach Kris Wilson. “Our students worked very hard all year long, from tryouts to the championship. They deserve every bit of recognition they’re getting.” The Texas Tech teams included:

Texas Tech Red:

• Dusty Burson, an animal science major from Silverton
• Kara Kraich, an animal science major from Akron, Colo.
• Jay Ray Sagaser, an animal science major from Cotton Center
• Adam Schwalm, an animal science major from Plano.
• Tyler Theiszen, an animal science major from McCook, Neb.
• Krystal Towle, an art major from Sanger

Texas Tech Black:

• Will Boedeker, a history major from Quitaque
• Zack Burson, an animal science major from Silverton
• Cooper Cogdell, an animal science major from Silverton
• Luke England, an animal science major from Wingate
• Ashley Hartzog, an animal science major from Farwell
• Jennifer Richards, a psychology major from Rosenberg

Tech’s eight individual national champions were:

• Limited Non-Pro Pleasure: Robert Rivers, an animal science major from Elgin
• Non-Pro Pleasure: Jenn Richards
• Non-Pro Reining: Krystal Towle
• Limited Non-Pro Cowhorse: Kara Kraich
• Novice Cowhorse: Luke England
• Non-Pro Cowhorse: Tyler Thieszen
• Novice Trail: Dusty Burson
• Non Pro Trail: Jay Ray Sageser

In addition to the Red Raiders’ championship victory, the Texas Tech (Black) Team placed third, just behind reserve national champion New Mexico State University. Texas A&M University, Sam Houston State University, Clarendon College (Green), Stephen F. Austin University, Laramie County Community College and Clarendon College (White) rounded out the standings in the team competition. Tarleton State University and Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture also sent individual participants to the championships, but did not field a full team.