NCTA Ranch Horse Team competes at Regional Championships

NCTA Ranch Horse Team competes at Regional Championships

NCTA Aggie Ranch Horse Team members at the Region 5 Championships of the American Stock Horse Association included, from left, Morgan Schrank, Canton, S.D.; Rio McGinley, Oshkosh;  Drake Johnson, Thurston; Makayla Forsythe, Garland; Kaitlyn Thesenvitz, Wood River;  Hanna Christenson, Burwell; Jessa Lemon, Curtis;  and Brooklyn Becker, Beaver City. They were assisted by (not pictured) Carly Wade of Monroe, Maine; Shane Hoer, Blair, and Whitney Hall, Alliance. (NCTA Ranch Horse photo)
NCTA Aggie Ranch Horse Team members at the Region 5 Championships of the American Stock Horse Association included, from left, Morgan Schrank, Canton, S.D.; Rio McGinley, Oshkosh; Drake Johnson, Thurston; Makayla Forsythe, Garland; Kaitlyn Thesenvitz, Wood River; Hanna Christenson, Burwell; Jessa Lemon, Curtis; and Brooklyn Becker, Beaver City. They were assisted by (not pictured) Carly Wade of Monroe, Maine; Shane Hoer, Blair, and Whitney Hall, Alliance. (NCTA Ranch Horse photo)

By NCTA News Service

Loveland, Colo. – Horses and riders of the NCTA Ranch Horse Team ended their fall season over the weekend with eight competitive riders in the American Stock Horse Association Region 5 Championships at Loveland, Colo.

The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture team put in a great showing, with all riders and horses topping their season’s work and several taking overall honors in their divisions, said Aggie Coach Joanna Hergenreder.

“This Team surpassed all of my expectations, again!  The hard work they put in during practice is showing when we travel,” said Hergenreder. “I enjoyed the weekend with this group and felt well represented in and out of the arena.”

Seven of the riders are sophomores, with one student a freshman and competing in her first show.  The students competed among riders from several states in open class divisions and collegiate ranks during the Friday and Saturday contest. Team members each apply the skills they learn in NCTA’s equine programs, as well as from clinicians who have assisted the college. The Aggie Ranch Horse Team is part of the NCTA Agricultural Productions Systems Division.

Hergenreder provided these results and commentary for the NCTA Ranch Horse Team:

Rio McGinley, Oshkosh, Neb., and his mare Sally won the Collegiate Non Pro Cow Work. Rio also took home the Reserve Champion Collegiate Non Pro All-Around buckle. The duo placed 5th in Pleasure, 2nd in Trail and 4th in Reining.

Hanna Christenson, Burwell, Neb., and NCTA's own Ima Squall had a very enjoyable show with the most controlled cow work this duo has had yet. They finished 7th in the Collegiate Non Pro Cow Work and 7th in the All-Around. They placed 6th in Pleasure, 7th in Trail and 6th in Reining.

Drake Johnson, Thurston, Neb., and Smart War put together one of their best boxing portions of Cow Work in the Collegiate Non Pro and finished 6th in the class, 7th in Pleasure, 5th in Trail and 7th in Reining for 6th place overall for the Collegiate Non Pro All-Around.

Makayla Forsythe, Garland, Neb., and NCTA's own Four Sieto Gill brought their A-game with a 3rd-place finish in Cow Work which placed them 3rd in the All-Around in the Collegiate Limited Non Pro when combined with 3rd in Pleasure, 7th in Trail and 5th in Reining.

Morgan Schrank, Canton, S.D., and Lil Paddy Spice exhibited phenomenal showmanship with a 9th place finish in Cow Work and a 7th-place spot in the Collegiate Limited Non Pro All-Around along with 5th in Pleasure, 5th in Trail and 10th in Reining.

Kaitlyn Thesenvitz, Wood River, Neb., and Zip N On A Breeze dominated Collegiate Novice for their first collegiate show with 2nd in Pleasure, 2nd in Trail, 5th in Cow Work, 7th in Reining and a 3rd place finish in the All-Around Novice.

Jessa Lemon, Curtis, Neb., and Lady Stingray Dun It finished their first full Collegiate show together and placed 9th in the Collegiate Novice Reining, 9th in Pleasure, 13th in Trail and 13th in Cow Work for the 10th place finish in the All-Around Novice category.

Brooklyn Becker, Beaver City, Neb., and NCTA's own Ratchetts Splashy Fly showed unparalleled showmanship and composure with Ratchett's first big show far from home. These two finished 9th in Cow Work, 15th in Pleasure, 16th in Collegiate Novice Reining, 18th in one of the toughest Trail Courses yet, and 16th in the Collegiate Novice All-Around.

Three team members provided support through the show keeping records, handling cattle in the arena, and assisting teammates prepare for competitions. Carly Wade of Monroe, Maine; Shane Hoer, Blair, and Whitney Hall, Alliance, also helped with photography and video work.

“Every team member exhibited unparalleled sportsmanship and were high class in the arena and in the barn,” said Hergenreder. “I am very proud of this group of NCTA students.”

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