June 10, 2010
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The Texas A&M equestrian team announced the signing of four student-athletes to national letters of intent on Thursday. Caroline Ammons (horsemanship), Maggie Boylan (hunter seat), Laura Brainard (horsemanship) and Leah Curtiss (hunter seat) will all join the eight-time national champion Aggies this fall.
Ammons hails from Englewood, Colo., and is a graduate of Kent Denver School. Currently training under Chad Evans, she has qualified for the American Quarter Horse Youth Association (AQYHA) World Show multiple times in numerous events and disciplines. Ammons has been a frequent top-10 finisher at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress, and posted a top-three finish in 2009. She is the daughter of Mark and LeeAnne Ammons.
"Caroline is a decidedly accomplished rider that will have an immediate and positive impact on our horsemanship squad," assistant coach Beth Bass said. "She is a passionate young lady and is excited about being a part of Texas A&M equestrian and of the Aggie family. We are fortunate that she has decided to join our program."
A native of Somers, New York, Boylan is currently ranked No. 1 in the country in her age group in the large junior hunter division. She was the 2010 Winter Equestrian Festival circuit champion in that division, taking home three titles and three runner-up finishes at the prestigious event. The 2009 reserve champion at the East Coast Junior Hunter Finals, Maggie is the daughter of Elizabeth and Michael Boylan and trains with Valerie Renihan.
"Maggie has proven herself to be a top contender in the junior hunters and Big Eq classes over the past few years," associate head coach Linzy Woolf said. "I believe she'll be able to continue that trend as she enters the ring in college, and help us in our quest for another overall national championship."
Brainard, from Weatherford, is a 2009 graduate of Brock High School and will join the Aggies after a year at Weatherford College. She placed in the top 10 at the 2009 American Paint Horse Association (APHA) Youth World Show in horsemanship and was the high-point winner at multiple large APHA and AQHA stock shows. The daughter of Zane and Jill Brainard, Laura currently trains with Terry Cross.
"Laura comes from a famous horse family and is a notably talented rider herself," Bass said. "I am looking forward to her joining the team and helping us to continue our championship tradition."
Curtiss, the daughter of Dr. Rebecca Curtis, hails from Mobile, Alabama. She has posted national top-15 finishes over the last several seasons in her age group and in the small junior hunters division, taking part in among others the Washington International Horse Show, the International Hunter Derby Finals and the prestigious Devon Horse Show. Curtiss, a third-generation Aggie, trains with David Pelligrini of Memphis, Tennessee.
"Leah is so much fun to watch when she is competing," Woolf said. "She approaches every ride with intensity, and it's that drive and determination that we look for in our athletes. Leah comes from a family of several generations of Aggies, so she's a sure fit here at Texas A&M."
Ammons, Boylan, Brainard and Curtiss join three others who signed in the fall to make up this year's incoming Aggie equestrian class. Texas A&M opens the upcoming season on Sept. 25 at Tennessee-Martin.
2009-10 TEXAS A&M EQUESTRIAN SIGNING CLASS (7)
NAME DISCIPLINE CL. HOMETOWN (HIGH SCHOOL)
Caroline Ammons horsemanship Fr. Englewood, Colo. (Kent Denver School)
Maggie Boylan hunter seat Fr. Somers, N.Y. (Kennedy Catholic)
Laura Brainard horsemanship So. Weatherford, Texas (Brock/Weatherford College)
Cheyenne Craycraft* reining Fr. Las Vegas, Nev. (Arbor View)
Leah Curtiss hunter seat Fr. Mobile, Ala. (UMS-Wright Prep)
Shelby Lawson* hunter seat Fr. Austin, Texas (Lake Travis)
Ellie Wilkins* hunter seat Fr. Evergreen, Colo. (Colorado Academy)
* fall signee