CANYON, Texas — Two West Texas A&M University equestrian teams have qualified to compete for national championships in May.
“This is an incredible accomplishment,” said Julia Bastian, WT Equestrian co-coach. “Very few other schools have been able to qualify teams in both western and hunt seat disciplines.”
The Intercollegiate Horse Show Association National Championship will be held May 3 to 5 at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Tryon, North Carolina.
“We have been focusing on consistency and excellence with these riders, and they have truly acted on that plan,” said co-coach Maggie Murphy. “It’s always an honor to have any riders qualify for the national championship, but to have two teams is extremely exciting as a coach and is a testament to the teamwork of the riders and coaches.”
The WT hunt seat team was named Zone 7 champion at a March 30 contest in Roscoe, Illinois. Marty Kacsh, a senior animal science / pre-vet major from Evergreen, Colorado, was named reserve champion in intermediate equitation and also will compete at nationals individually.
Photo: West Texas A&M University western seat team members are, from left, Kaitlyn Evans, Marty Kacsh, Amber Cox, Hana Craycraft, Anna Wilhelm, Haley Bucher, Helene Keiser and Jennica Dannehl. Also pictured is co-coach Julia Bastian.
The western team qualified for nationals after placing fourth overall at a semifinal competition March 23 and 24 in Findlay, Ohio. Three students also qualified in individual events: Anna Wilhelm, a senior equine industry and business major from Shannon, Illinois, in open horsemanship; Jennica Dannehl, a senior equine industry and business major from Bertrand, Nebraska, in level-two ranch riding; and Kaitlyn Evans, a sophomore mechanical engineering major from Valley View, in level-one horsemanship.
Other team members include Helene Keiser, a junior animal science major from Gothenburg, Nebraska; Haley Bucher, a senior equine industry and business from Washington, Illinois; Hana Craycraft, a junior equine industry and business from Keller; Amber Cox, a freshman equine industry and business major from Smithville; Ryan Wight, a junior general business–healthcare management major from Castle Rock, Colorado; Eva Severance, a senior biology major from Wasilla, Alaska; Johanna Anderson, a sophomore sports and exercise science major from Wray, Colorado; Kristina Todd, a senior agricultural media and communications from Wills Point; Alexandria Woestman, a freshman equine industry and business from Fort Worth; and Miranda Whitten, a sophomore animal science/pre-vet major from Durango, Colorado.
The team also is coached by Katrina Taylor.
WT’s equestrian teams are an example of the University’s responsiveness to the Texas Panhandle, as outlined in the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.
That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign’s new goal is to reach $175 million by 2025; currently, it has raised nearly $160 million.
Top photo: West Texas A&M University hunt seat team members are, from left, Katrina Taylor, Miranda Whitten, Eva Severance, Ashley Polson, Kristina Todd, Marty Kacsh, Johanna Anderson, Alexandria Woestman and Ryan Wight. Also pictured is co-coach Julia Bastian, right.
