Head Coach Tana McKay announced the signing of three National Letters of Intent on Friday. Whitney Conrad, Ashton Dunkel and Amelia Lee will join the 2015-16 Equestrian team as reiners.
“This has been my motivation for the past seven years,” said Conrad. “When I was ten years old and my dad bought me my first reining horse I knew I was in it for the long run... Shortly after when I discovered there was such a thing as an equestrian team I knew I wanted to go to A&M! College Station was already home and I knew I wanted to stay there. Two years into showing reiners my dad passed away and I knew that all he wanted me to do in life was to follow my dreams, so I worked hard and continued to work on my dreams of attending A&M in honor of my dad! I would not be this far in life or have any success without God, my mom, my step dad, my dad watching over me, my family, and my friends! As I sign with the Fightin' Texas Aggie Equestrian Team I am beyond thankful for this opportunity and excited to return to my home!”
Its official😊👍 pic.twitter.com/z6PCesPYCf
— Whitney Conrad (@whitneyPconrad) November 17, 2014
Whitney comes to College Station after a successful 2014 campaign. Recently she has been named the Heart of Texas Reining Horse Association Level 2,3,&4 Non Pro Derby Champion as well as the Limited Non Pro Champion at the High Roller Reining Classic in Las Vegas, Nevada. Heart of Texas Reining Horse Association Level 2,3,&4 Non Pro Derby Champion
“Whitney has ridden with some great trainers and has done very well in the show pen,” said McKay. “Whitney is the perfect person to be an Aggie. She is a great student, a true friend to all and I know she will have an impact on our team!”
“I have been blessed with many amazing opportunities, and riding for Aggie Equestrian will allow me to compete at the highest level of collegiate athletics,” said Dunkel. “I can't wait to ride and learn with the rest of the team, and help Texas A&M Equestrian earn another national championship.”
It's official! Ashton Dunkel is joining @AggieEquestrian! pic.twitter.com/WdKHad6GZi
— Jill Dunkel (@jdunkel95) November 17, 2014
Dunkel, an Archer City, Texas, native, has had an impressive junior career in the state of Texas. She qualified for the AQHYA World Show in Reining, Working Cow Horse and Ranch Horse Pleasure and the AQHA Open World Show in 2015. She was a two-time finalist at the AQHYA World Show in Cow Horse Boxing. Dunkel is highly involved in the Texas 4-H, winning several titles such as Reserve Champion All-Around Stock Horse Rider, Working Cow Horse Reserve Champion and Reining State Champion.
“Ashton is going to be a wonderful addition to our Aggie family,” said McKay. “She has learned a great deal working with the Waggoner Ranch and their trainer. Ashton has had some great success in the show pen and is also a very well rounded student. She has a great work ethic and is already a great Aggie as both of her parents also attended Texas A&M.”
“I could not be more excited to be a part of such an amazing team with so much tradition!” said Lee. “I cannot wait for my future at Texas A&M as a student athlete and I'm beyond blessed just to have the opportunity! I've been waiting for this day for 4 years and I wouldn't want to be anything but an Aggie! Gig Em, y'all!”
@AggieEquestrian beyond excited to be an aggie!!! gig em 👍🐴 pic.twitter.com/29p95cnAgg
— amelia (@meekmeelzz) November 13, 2014
Amelia is no stranger to high-level competition. She is a two-year NRBC Youth Classic Challenge Champion and three-year Cowboy Capital Classic Youth Champion. In 2013 she was the One Hot Reining Non Pro Derby Champion and, most recently, she was named to the 2014 NRHA Youth Derby Top 12 and Top 20.
“Amelia has had great success in a number of different disciplines, the most recent being reining,” said McKay. “She has ridden with a great trainer and has done very well in the show pen. She has a lot of timing and feel. I know Amelia is very excited about becoming an Aggie and we are really looking forward to see how she impacts our team!”
Check back to 12thMan.com and follow @AggieEquestrian on Twitter for the latest during the 2014 signing period as the Aggies continue to add to their 2015 class.