DECATUR – The 2012 Texas A&M University Stock Horse Team remains undefeated after winning two American Stock Horse Association Intercollegiate Contests this fall.
The Aggie team was named high point champion team in Bryan on Dec. 6 and in Decatur on Oct. 20.
Current team members are Ryan Birkenfeld, a junior agricultural business major from Nazareth; Kyle Birkenfeld, a senior agricultural engineering major from Nazareth; Sally Sanford, a senior animal science major from College Station; Amy Peterson, a senior animal science major from Sugarland; Anna Haines, a junior animal science major from San Antonio; Derby Jones, a sophomore business major from College Station; Sarah Keil, a senior animal science major from Waco; Helen Hardy, a senior nutrition science major from San Antonio; and Kirby Jackson, a graduate student in animal science from Kerens.
The team is coached by Dr. Dennis Sigler, professor and Extension horse specialist, and Raul Valdez, graduate assistant in animal science.
“I attribute the success of the 2011-2012 team to the students’ great attitudes, hard work and willingness to learn,” Sigler said. “The students spend a lot of hours practicing, after regular class time. They all have stepped up and really made ‘a hand’ at the two shows this fall. We are looking forward to going back to the National Championship Contest in April 2013 to try to defend our National title!”
In stock horse team competition, teams consist of six members. Two team members compete in one of three divisions (non pro, limited non pro and novice) according to their previous riding and showing experience. Team scores are a total of the member’s scores.
Individual results from Decatur are:
Open/Non-Pro Division:
Ryan Birkenfeld – champion high point overall
Limited Non-Pro Division:
Sally Sanford – champion high point overall
Anna Haines – reserve champion high point overall
Novice Division:
Derby Jones – champion high point overall
Kirby Jackson – reserve champion high point overall
-30-
For more information regarding news from the Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, please contact Courtney Coufal at cacoufal@tamu.edu or (979) 845-1542.