As we wrap up the spring semester of 2024, we would like to congratulate our competitive teams on a great season! The latest results from contests in late March through April include the dairy challenge, horse judging, meat animal evaluation, ranch horse, and rodeo teams.

Learn more about the department's 10 competitive teams here.

Dairy Challenge Team

The Texas A&M Dairy Challenge Team traveled to Visalia, California, on April 5-7, 2024, to participate in the 2024 National Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge contest and Academy. Alana Lee, Griffin Matthys, McKenzie McGinnisis, and Carrigan Fritz competed at the contest. Greyson Evans, Abby Van Adrichem, and Mia Coker participated in the Dairy Challenge Academy. The students performed well evaluating dairy farms in the region and presenting in front of a panel of Judges. The team was also able to tour a local dairy research facility after the contest. 

The team would like to thank Texas Association of Dairymen, Dairy Farmers of America, DairyMAX, Western Dairy Transport, Select Sires Member Cooperative, Texas Animal Nutrition Council, and Southwest Dairy Farmers for generously supporting the students in this endeavor.

The team is coached by Dr. Sushil Paudyal and student coach Hailey Williams.

Horse Judging Team

The Texas A&M University Horse Judging Team competed at the Spring Collegiate Sweepstakes Contest on April 6. They met some of the best trainers, professionals and horses in the industry, worked hard, and had some fun laughs along the way.

Tied for 2nd High Team in Halter

  • Reserve High Individual Overall: Hannah Vierling
  • 7th High Individual: Elena Betteridge

Champion Team Performance

  • 4th High Individual: Hannah Vierling
  • 10th High Individual: Gabby Shultz

Champion Team Reasons

  • Reserve High Individual Overall: Elena Betteridge
  • 4th High Individual Overall: Hannah Vierling
  • 6th High Individual Overall: Rachel Kuhlman
  • 10th High Individual Overall: Brianna Bongard
  • Tied for 10th High Individual Overall: Anelise Wilson

Overall: Reserve Champion Team - Short 3 Points

  • Reserve Champion Individual Overall: Hannah Vierling and received a $500 Boot Certificate
  • 10th High Individual Overall: Elena Betteridge

Limited Overall

  • Champion Individual Overall: Emma Brunson
  • Reserve Champion Individual Overall: Dalton Regehr
  • 9th High Individual Overall: Melanie Chojnacki

The 2024 All-Star team was represented by the following students: AJ Kendrick, Elena Betteridge, Brianna Bongard, Anelise Wilson, Hannah Vierling, Rachel Kuhlman, Matthew Hager, Gabby Schultz, Evyn Barnes, Olivia Vogt.

Limited Collegiate Competitors included: Melanie Chojnacki, Cassie Hiles, Suuzanne Eubank, Dalton Regehr, Michaela Dunn, and Emma Brunson.

The team is coached by Sarah Schobert and Assistant Coach Megan Miller. Other assistant coaches include Brooke Kiefer, Madison Rosenbaum, Angelina Newbold, and Alivia Farrell.

Meat Animal Evaluation Team

The Texas A&M Meat Animal Evaluation Team was third place at the National Contest on April 12 in Laramie, Wyoming. Cooper Ford was 7th High Individual overall. The team traveled north all week stopping to practice meats and livestock evaluation.

Team members include:

  • Casey Murphy
  • Kayce Lopez
  • Kadie Graves
  • Channing Pieniazek
  • Emily Mutchler
  • Cooper Thompson
  • Cooper Ford
  • Kyle Real
  • Kaley Pieper
  • Hannah McElrath
  • Conner Knudson
  • Karson Patton

The team was coached by Tanner Wright, Gage Walsh, Nathan Barrett, and Kyle Despain.

Ranch Horse Team

The Texas A&M Ranch Horse Team competed at the National Intercollegiate Ranch and Stock Horse Association Championship Show in Amarillo, April 15-17.

The team had a great time at the contest, bringing home some great personal achievements.

  • Leila Anderson: 10th Novice
  • Haley Winkler: 8th Limited
  • Joshua Nichols: 9th Non Pro
  • Emma Thrasher: 6th Non Pro

Texas Aggie Rodeo Team

The Texas Aggie Rodeo Team had a busy end to the season, competing in the Trinity Valley Community College Rodeo, the Wharton County Junior College Rodeo, and the Hill College Rodeo. Congratulations goes out to the six team members who qualified for the 2024 College National Finals Rodeo, CNFR, in Casper, Wyoming.

2024 CNFR Qualifiers

  • Gavin French: Bareback
  • Madalyn Richards: Goat Tying and Breakaway
  • Madison Outhier: Breakaway
  • Tylie McDonald: Goat Tying
  • Emma Smith: Barrel Racing
  • Trace Harris: Bull Dogging

Stay up-to-date on the CNFR schedule here: http://cnfr.com/

Trinity Valley Community College Rodeo

Bareback Riding

  • Gavin French: 4th avg

Goat Tying

  • Tylie McDonald: 5th Avg

Tiedown Roping

  • Connor Atkinson: 2nd Long Go

Barrel Racing

  • Ceily Simpton: 5th Long Go
  • Victoria Proctor: 6th Avg

Wharton County Junior College Rodeo

Champion Women's Team
Cara Stewart: Women's All-Around

Team Roping

  • Cora Steward and Sam Johnson: 3rd

Barrel Racing

  • McKinlee Paschal: 8th

Breakaway Roping

  • Madalyn Richards: 1st
  • Madi Outhier: 2nd

Goat Tying

  • Cora Stewart: 4th

Bareback Riding

  • Gavin French: 1st

Hill College Rodeo

Breakaway Roping

  • Madison Outhier: 6/7/8th
  • Aly Ghormley: 6/7/8th

Barrel Racing

  • McKinlee Paschal: 5th

Goat Tying

  • Madalyn Richards: 3rd
  • Cora Stewart: 4/5th

Bareback Riding

  • Gavin French: Champion