Ranch Horse Team Takes National Honors at ASHA Championship

Written by Cory Chandler

Texas Tech University’s Ranch Horse Team garnered multiple individual national championship honors Nov. 21-23 at the inaugural American Stock Horse Association National Championship Show at the Heart of Texas Fairgrounds in Waco.

The open competition featured 10 high-profile teams from across the nation.

“It’s amazing that the Texas Tech Ranch Horse Program could be represented so well in this inaugural event,” said Kris Wilson, coach of Texas Tech’s Ranch Horse Team and an assistant professor in the university’s Department of Animal and Food Sciences. “This was truly an historical day for the program.”

Among the student winners were:

• Alicia Daugherty, a junior agricultural communications major from Alpine: All Around Non-Pro, Non-Pro Reining, and Non-Pro Stock Horse Pleasure

• Jennifer Richards, a senior agricultural communications major from Marble Falls: All Around Limited Non-Pro Reserve and Limited Non-Pro Stock Horse Pleasure

• Ashley Palmer, a senior interdisciplinary agriculture major from Cyprus: Limited Non-Pro Reining

Meanwhile, Wilson himself took first place in the event’s All Around Open competition. Cara Wilson, an employee in Texas Tech’s Office of Admissions and wife of Kris Wilson, took top honors in the All-Around Novice Reserve category. Cara Wilson often assists in helping prepare for ranch horse team events and at times accompanies students to competitions.

The Red Raiders wins in Waco marked the end of the team’s fall season; it continues competition throughout the spring, culminating at the 2009 ASHA Collegiate National Championship on April 25 at the Texas Tech Equestrian Center.

CONTACT: Kris Wilson, coach, Texas Tech University Ranch Horse Team at (806) 742-2805, ext. 236 or k.wilson@ttu.edu