OSU Horse Judges
Are AQHA Champions

STILLWATER, Okla. — They competed against the best intercollegiate teams in the nation at the American Quarter Horse World Championships Nov. 20; when the competition was finished, Oklahoma State University's horse judging team was crowned the best of the best.

The OSU Cowboys earned championship honors as the overall high-point team, finishing first in the reasons and team performance categories en route. Tyler Hicks, an animal science-agricultural education senior from Meeker, paced the Cowboy horse judgers, earning first-place individual honors in reasons and finishing among the top 10 individual overall competitors.

The 1996 OSU AQHA world championship team includes Hicks; Katana Ewbank, animal science-agricultural communications senior from Odessa, Texas; Allison Lindsey, animal science biotechnology senior, Jacksonville, Ill.; Clay Cavinder, animal science business junior, Idabel; Jim Reed, animal science pre-vet sophomore, Davidson; David Dellin, animal science pre-vet sophomore, Claremore; Yantcy Pinkston, livestock merchandising junior, Rose; Ty Cunningham, livestock merchandising sophomore, Jay; Matt Cunningham, animal science pre-vet junior, Tonkawa; and Tamara Bridges, animal science business junior, Stillwater. Lori Eutsler, animal science pre-vet sophomore, Dewey, finished in the top 10 overall individuals as an OSU reserve team member.

"This is a great activity for students; they are learning something from the experience that they cannot get in the classroom," said Don Topliff, team coach, professor of equine studies and OSU Animal Science horse program leader.

Last year’s OSU horse judgers earned first-place honors in five of the seven national competitions at which they competed and finished second at the 1995 AQHA World Championships.