May 15, 2008

BURBANK, Calif. - - The West Texas A&M University Equestrian Team captured 5th overall Western Team and 10 top-ten individual finishes, including one National Championship by Errolynne Frank and one Reserve Championship by Ryan Eberlein, at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association National Championship show held in Burbank, Calif., from May 8 to 11. The WT team and individuals qualified for the show out of over 7,500 members from 350 member schools. There were over 450 riders from 30 schools that qualified for the National Championship show. WT's individual results were:

Western:
Shannon Lee- 8th overall, AQHA High Point Rider
Rachael Hilton- 5th, Beginner Team
Stephanie Hallgren- 3rd, Novice Team
Ryan Eberlein- 2nd, Advanced Team
Errolynne Frank- 1st, Advanced Individual
Errolynne Frank- 6th, Open Team
Whitney Agee- 5th, Reining Individual
Whitney Agee- 6th, Reining Team
Whitney Fouts- 8th, Open Individual

Hunter:
Whitney Fouts- 10th, USEF Cacchione Cup, Phase 1
Laura Wilder- 10th, Walk-Trot-Canter Individual

Top Western Teams
1. Ohio State University, OH
2. University of Findlay, OH
3. Oregon State University, OR
4. St. Andrews Presbyterian, NC
5. West Texas A&M University, TX
6. Alfred University, NY
7. Michigan State University, MI
8. West Virginia University, WV
9. Stanford University, CA

Rebecca Hart and Katie Sorensen were the other team members that qualified and competed at Nationals.

The Equestrian Team has over 35 team members, and is co-supported through WT's Athletics Department and the Equine Industry Program in the Department of Agricultural Sciences. The team is coached by Amanda Love (Head Coach) and Lena Cottle (Assistant Head Coach), with assistants Courtney Douglas, Brian Dundon, and Chelsie Huseman. Detailed results can be viewed at www.ihsainc.com.