West Texas A&M University just made history again by clinching its second consecutive national championship at the National Intercollegiate Ranch & Stock Horse Association competition held April 13 to 15 at the Amarillo National Center, Texas. This victory marks a stunning sweep of all individual rider categories, an unprecedented feat at this high-profile event.
The WT Ranch Horse Team defeated prominent rivals including Texas Tech University, Texas A&M University, North Central Texas College, and New Mexico State University in Division I—cementing their dominance in ranch reining, stock horse pleasure, ranch trail, and cow work competitions. Nineteen WT students represented their school in the contest, showcasing diverse talent across novice, limited nonprofessional, and nonprofessional divisions.
Coach Dr. Lance Baker, a professor of animal science at WT’s Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, praised the team’s unity and dedication. He said,
“Few things are more gratifying than a group of student athletes who buy into a shared vision and trust the process to achieve something unique. Our team has done what no other has done before—winning the Division I team title and sweeping all individual awards.”
Top individual honors went to three students: Parker Ralston, sophomore agribusiness major from Collbran, Colorado, won the nonprofessional division and was awarded the prestigious Kris Wilson Top Hand Award as the best rider overall. Freshman Marin McCarthy of Aledo took first place in the limited nonprofessional division, while freshman Avery Turner from Gilmer won novice division and earned the Outstanding Freshman Award sponsored by the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.
Additional standout performances included Cutter McLaughlin of Amarillo placing third in the nonprofessional division, and Bella Ayers of Canyon securing third in novice division. The depth of WT’s team effort was clear, with more than a dozen competitors placing in top ranks alongside the champions.
As championship winners, the WT team earned the use of an award trailer from Hughes Trailers in Canyon for one year—an honor symbolizing their accomplishment and boosting team resources for the upcoming season. This win adds to their prior 2025 championship and follows three reserve championships since the competition launched in 2021.
The event’s format challenged the students across two go-rounds and four demanding classes held in front of a passionate crowd at the Amarillo Tri-State Fairgrounds. The competition tests riders’ versatility, horsemanship, and teamwork in disciplines that are critical to ranch operations nationwide.
This victory not only underscores WT’s superior training program but delivers a strong message for college ranch and stock horse competitions across the United States. It affirms WT’s commitment to fostering skills essential for the agricultural economy, rural communities, and the Western lifestyle—the backbone of much of Colorado’s and America’s ranching heritage.
WT’s success is rooted in a culture of self-reliance, courage, and teamwork, aligned with the university’s WT 125 long-range plan and the One West fundraising campaign, which has raised more than $200 million—the largest in Texas Panhandle history.
About West Texas A&M University: Founded in 1910, WTAMU is a Regional Research University located in Canyon, Texas. It supports over 9,000 students with 66 undergraduate and 44 graduate degree programs, including unique agricultural and equine industry education vital for future ranching professionals nationwide. WTAMU is part of the Texas A&M University System and holds a Carnegie Foundation classification as a Research University.
This consecutive national title run showcases the power of dedicated student athletes shaping the future of American ranching. As the team prepares to defend their crown next year, Colorado ranching and equine enthusiasts will be watching closely to see if WT can continue its remarkable sweep of national honors.
