Located in Canyon, Texas, West Texas A&M University is home to a very competitive equestrian team as well as one of the best horse judging teams in the country. Both consistently compete at a very high level and are coached by very successful professors and equine professionals.
This year the horse judging team won the National Reining Horse Association National Championship for the sixth year in row, beating both Oregon State University and Oklahoma State University. This is the 16th national or world title for the team in the last twelve years. The team also won the All-American Quarter Horse Congress and the national Reining Breeders Classic. The team is coached by Dr. John Pipkin, director of the Equine Industry Program. He is also a licensed judge for the American Quarter Horse Association, American Paint Horse Association, National Snaffle Bit Association, and the National Reining Horse Association.
The equine industry program at WT is developed to provide students a balance of science and business. The program prepares students to be competitive in careers in equine business as well as in their own businesses. Graduate studies are also available for students seeking advance training and research opportunities. Students will also be able to interact with different areas of the equine industry including breeding, show, recreation and race.
The facilities at the Horse Center are excellent including a classroom, a 200’ x 105’ indoor arena, two outdoor lighted arenas, Hitchcock pen, round pen and approximately 50 western and hunter horses.
There are a variety of horse related events including events, clinics, seminars, IHSA shows, 4-H shows, judging contests and horsemanship classes. Students are allowed to board horses at the university and multiple horses are allowed if there are available stalls. Students may also use their own horses provided that the horses are trained and safe for activities in the class.
Student organizations include Horseman’s Association, Collegiate 4-H, Collegiate FFA, Block & Bridle Club as well as Intercollegiate Judging, Equestrian teams and Rodeo teams.
Financial aid, loans and scholarships are available to those who qualify. There are also competitive varsity equestrian scholarships available.
There are also many professional horse trainers in the Canyon and Amarillo, Texas area that offer services in breaking, training, hunter and western events. Amarillo is also home to the American Quarter Horse Association.
For more information on West Texas A&M University and the Equine Industry program, visit www.wtamu.edu.
