West Texas A&M University’s Ranch Horse Team has just clinched its second consecutive national championship, sweeping all individual categories at the National Intercollegiate Ranch & Stock Horse Association competition held from April 13 to 15 at the Amarillo National Center in Canyon, Texas.
This championship marks a historic milestone as the team not only defended its title but also captured every individual division, a feat unmatched by any other competing squad. The event drew fierce competition from powerhouse universities including Texas Tech, Texas A&M, North Central Texas College, and New Mexico State.
Complete Dominance at Nationals
Nineteen students from West Texas A&M competed in four distinct classes—ranch reining, stock horse pleasure, ranch trail, and cow work—spanning novice, limited nonprofessional, and nonprofessional divisions. The team’s unmatched performance earned them the coveted team championship in the Division 1 category.
In addition to the team trophy, West Texas A&M riders claimed all three individual division titles. Parker Ralston, a sophomore majoring in agribusiness from Collbran, Colorado, topped the nonprofessional division, earning the Kris Wilson Top Hand Award as the best rider of the entire event.
Freshman Marin McCarthy, specializing in equine industry and business from Aledo, won the limited nonprofessional division. Meanwhile, freshman Avery Turner, also in equine industry and business from Gilmer, captured the novice division and was named the Outstanding Freshman with sponsorship from the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.
Coach Praises Team’s Commitment and Historic Success
“There are few things more gratifying than a group of student athletes with total buy-in, who share the vision and the dream, who trust the process, who sacrifice and dedicate themselves to a worthwhile goal,” said Dr. Lance Baker, WTAMU’s animal science professor and team coach.
“This team has done what no other has before — winning the Division 1 team title while sweeping all individual categories along with the outstanding rider and freshman awards.”
Strong Roster and University Support Propel Team Forward
The WT team has been a near-constant force nationally since the show’s inception in 2021, with three runner-up finishes before their breakthrough 2025 championship. This year’s sweep solidifies their reign as the top collegiate ranch horse team.
For their victory, the team earned the use of an award trailer from Hughes Trailers in Canyon for one year—a symbol of their hard work and prestige.
Alongside Dr. Baker, the team is also coached by animal science instructor Sidney Dunkel. Together, they foster the traits of self-reliance and teamwork embodied in West Texas A&M’s long-range strategy, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World, supported by a record-breaking fundraising campaign exceeding $200 million.
Impact Beyond Texas and Into the National Stage
As ranch horse programs grow in prominence nationwide, West Texas A&M’s unprecedented success sets a new standard for collegiate equine sports. The university’s commitment to developing top-tier agricultural and equine industry professionals ensures continued influence well beyond Texas.
The Ranch Horse Team’s achievement resonates with aspiring riders and sports fans across the United States, demonstrating the power of dedication and elite training in traditionally Western disciplines.
What Comes Next
West Texas A&M now shifts focus to maintaining its competitive edge, preparing for upcoming regional events and cultivating the next generation of champions. Their historic sweep and back-to-back titles have not only raised the profile of collegiate ranch horse competitions but also inspired peers nationwide.
With talented students like Ralston, McCarthy, and Turner leading the way, West Texas A&M’s team is the one to watch for future national titles and individual accolades in 2026 and beyond.
