The U of A ranch horse team won the Division II Collegiate Team championship at the SHTX Aggieland Classic in Bryan, Texas, on Sept. 26.

Individually, Morgan Taylor led the way with a fifth-place finish in the limited non-pro class, while Kate Henderson was 10th in the same category.

Other team members include Katee Johnson, Jordan Shortt, Justine Barb, Alex Loftin and Carson Howle.

Individuals and teams were judged in areas of stock horse pleasure, trail, reining and cow work.

In addition to Taylor and Henderson, Henderson was first of 27 competitors in the limited pleasure category; Howle was second of 32 in the novice pleasure division, and Morgan first of 27 in limited trail.

"This team did great for its first show with its new coach," first-year coach Amanda Baxter said. "We had prepared a lot for the show during practice, but we weren't quite sure what would come together in the show pen. These students worked with what they had, scored well and placed great as a team. However, what I loved most is that every team member left that show feeling like they had a better competition in them, and was ready to go home and get back to work before the SHTX World Show at the end of October. This group is amazing to take on trips. They have great attitudes and even bigger hearts. I am excited to see what all we can accomplish together after our big first step into the semester."

Johnson, Henderson and Taylor are animal science majors; Barb is in agricultural education, communications and technology; and Loftin in agricultural business, all in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences. Shortt is majoring in data science, and Howle, in advertising and public relations.

Baxter, also an equine instructor, joined the faculty in the Department of Animal Science this fall.

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