WT’s Horse Judging Teams Rank Highly in Major Competition 

Chip Chandler
October 18, 2021

West Texas A&M University horse judging team members Sal Washington, from left, Kami Woodard, Quinn Dunham, Grace Wolfington, Sydni Nilles, Hannah McLochlin, Makenzie Knipe, Sierra Stammen, Mackenzie Berkland, Calli Montague pose following the Oct. 13 All-American Quarter Horse Congress competition with Dr. John Pipkin, Regents professor of agriculture and director of WT’s Equine Industry Program. Assistant coaches Maggie Murphy and Baily Summers are not pictured. Photo by WTAMU Communication and Marketing

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, [email protected]  

  

CANYON, Texas — West Texas A&M University’s horse judging teams placed highly in recent All-American Quarter Horse Congress competition. 

One of WT’s teams was named reserve champion and a second team placed sixth in competition with teams from Oklahoma State University, Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, Colorado State University and Kansas State University and others. The WT teams also placed second and sixth in halter; first and sixth in performance; and third and sixth in reasons. 

Mackenzie Berkland, a junior agribusiness/equine major from Ruthven, Iowa, placed first overall. Hannah McLochlin, a senior agriculture major from Plymouth, Ind., placed third overall, and Sydni Nilles, a junior agribusiness/equine major from Fox Lake, Ill., placed 10th overall. 

“The team had an excellent performance,” said Dr. John Pipkin, Regents professor of agriculture and director of WT’s Equine Industry Program. “Every team member has worked for more than a year preparing, especially in the last 4 1/2 months. I am really excited for them as they are still far from their best as a group and are willing to continue to work to improve as they get ready for the final two competitions of the year in the next three weeks.” 

Other team members include Quinn Dunham, junior agriculture communications major from Greensboro, N.C.; Makenzie Knipe, junior agriculture education major from New Braunfels; Calli Montague, senior agribusiness/equine major from Mason; Sierra Stammen, junior agribusiness/equine major from Allen; Grant “Sal” Washington, junior agribusiness/equine major from Levelland; Grace Wolfington, junior animal science major from Sheboygan, Wisc.; and Kami Woodward, junior agribusiness/equine major from Creede, Colo. 

The competition took place Oct. 13 in Columbus, Ohio. The teams’ final competitions of the season are Nov. 1 and 7 at the American Quarter Horse Association World Championships in Oklahoma City. 

WT’s horse judging teams are one of the ways the University is responsive to regional needs, as set out in long-term plan WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World. That plan is being fueled by the historic, $125 million One Westcomprehensive fundraising campaign.  

 

About West Texas A&M University 

WT is located in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of about 10,000 and offers 60 undergraduate degree programs, 40 master’s degrees and two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men’s and women’s athletics programs.