LCCC has outstanding showing in national ranch and horse event

CHEYENNE, Wyoming – Laramie County Community College’s Ranch Horse Team placed third overall in October during its first outing to the Stock Horse of Texas World Championship Show in Abilene, Texas. 

Students competed in two go-rounds of competition starting Oct. 25, each showing their horse’s skills eight times within the three-day competition. Each go-round consisted of every horse and rider pair competing in cow work, reining, ranch pleasure and ranch trail. LCCC placed third overall in Division II after both go-round scores were combined.

“Our students’ outstanding performance in Abilene shows the Ranch Horse Team is reaching new heights,” said Morgan Pennington, equine instructor and Ranch Horse & Equestrian Team coach. “They competed against some of the top colleges in the nation and represented LCCC admirably. I could not be more proud of this team.” 

LCCC is the only full college team from Wyoming that has ever competed in this specific competition. The LCCC Ranch Horse Team competes in stock horse, reined cow horse and ranch versatility events across the nation. Events are aimed toward advancing horsemanship skills in a setting that would be useful on a working ranch. All members will compete in working cow horse, reining, ranch trail and ranch riding classes on their personal horse. 

All college students in the Abilene show were also competing for individual titles against every collegiate member in divisions I and II combined. Individuals representing other schools with ranch horse teams included West Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, Oklahoma State University, Texas A&M University and Tarleton State. There were between 40-50 entries in each class. 

LCCC team members represented Wyoming well in multiple categories.

In the Collegiate Novice category, Britney Iacovetto, Keira Plymale, Mattie Bloomgren, Ashton Werth received distinctions. In Collegiate Limited Non-Pro, Wacey Flack, Kate Budge and

Bo Tilton had notable recognitions. Brock Feyder placed in the Collegiate Non-Pro category. 

Pennington said students were also able to network with industry professionals and event sponsors and socialize with team members from other colleges. The LCCC Ranch Horse Team, she added, is looking forward to competing against the same schools again at NIRSHA Collegiate Nationals on April 14-18 in Amarillo, Texas. 

Go to lccc.wy.edu/agEquine for more information about LCCC’s Ag & Equine Pathway.