Texas A&M Equestrian Adds Eight Signees to Western Discipline

COLLEGE STATION — Texas A&M head coach Tana McKay and horsemanship coach Jessie Weisinger, who was a member of the first Aggie equestrian national championship in 2002, have added six signees to the western discipline— Kyra Bouma, Ashley Davidson, Katie Davis, Darby Gardner, Julie Hill, Alex Marlow, Allee Potts and Courtney Yohey to the Aggie roster.
 
"The caliber of these student-athletes, not only in competition, but in academics and life in general is outstanding," Aggie head coach McKay said. "These are the type of young ladies we need in our program to continue to be among the very best in the country."
 
Bouma is from Choteau, Montana. In her youth campaign, Bouma earned the 2014 USTPC Horsemanship Challenge Championship, 2015 AQHYA World Show Semi-finalist in Horsemanship and Equitation and fifth in the Performance Halter Geldings. Additionally she was third in Performance Halter Geldings at the 2014 World Show, 2015 NSBA World Show 3rd place Youth Showmanship, 26 All-Around championships and 12 Reserve All-around championships.
 
"I am very excited to welcome Kyra to our Aggie Family," Weisinger said. "Kyra rides with a trainer that several other team members have ridden with.  That trainer is familiar with our program and understands what it takes to be a collegiate athlete. "With Kyra's proven success, she has the potential to make an immediate impact on the horsemanship squad and I couldn't be more excited to have her as a member of our Team." 
 
"I was in love with Texas A&M long before I ever came on my visit, but once I came down I knew that was where I wanted to continue my education," Bouma said. "It has been my dream for quite some time to ride on a team, and I am thrilled that I get to do that as an Aggie. I am blessed to become part of this big family."
 
Davidson is from Burbank, WA. She has numerous AQHA Circuit Championships and High Points and qualified for the 2015 AQHA Novice Championship on two different horses.  Ashley also earned championship honors at the 2015 Washington State Fair. 
 
"I chose Texas A&M for many reasons," Davidson said. "I love all of the spirit and traditions the school has and I was blown away by how happy all of the students are. The equestrian center is absolutely amazing and who could possibly pass up the opportunity to be riding there under the guidance of great coaches. The whole team was amazing and has so much talent and sportsmanship, and I know I will continue to grow as a rider and a person at Texas A&M. I felt welcomed by everyone I talked to and I instantly wanted to be a part of the Aggie family."
 
"I am excited to add Ashley to our horsemanship roster," Aggie coach Weisinger said. "She has had much success on the Washington State Quarter Horse Association circuit. Ashley is a dedicated student-athlete and will be an asset to the horsemanship squad. I am looking forward to her joining our Aggie family."
 
Davis is from Fort Worth. She has finished in the Top 10 at both the NRHA Futurity and NRHA Derby Youth classes. She is a specialty act permit holder starting at the age of 15 as a performing track and fancy rider for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). She is a 2015 AQHA World Qualifier for the Texas team. The 2015 Reserve Champion in Tulsa Reining Youth 14-18 Regional affiliate final. Took first and second place in the 2015 Rookie Youth Class Tulsa Reining and was a double qualifier for the 2015 Regional Finals in Oklahoma City.
 
"We are really looking forward to adding Katie to our roster," Coach McKay said. "She has a very diverse equestrian background. Not only is she a very accomplished rider in the reining arena, she is also a professional trick rider. She has a tremendous amount of athletic ability and is a very adaptable rider. Katie is also involved with community service activities as well as being an outstanding student. We are proud to have her as part of our Aggie family."
 
"I am so humbled to sign with Texas A&M equestrian and look forward to being a part of the Aggie family," Davis said. "My utmost appreciation goes out for the support of my family and countless others over the years. The unity among past and present Aggies is difficult to put into words, and I am thrilled to become a part of it. I have no doubt that Texas A&M will more than prepare me to pursue my dreams for the future and I can't wait to begin at the Mays Business School next fall and compete for the Aggie equestrian team."
 
Gardner is from New Braunfels, Texas. Gardner is a Top 20 Non-Pro in May 2014 competition. She was the NRHA affiliate champion 2014-Limited Non-Pro, NRHA affiliate co-champion 2014 Intermediate Non-Pro as well as the NRHA affiliate co-champion in 2015 Limited Non-Pro. Leader in TRHA Youth, Non-Pro, Limited Non-Pro, Intermediate Non-Pro, and Novice Horse for 2012-14. She was also leader in STRHA Youth, Non-Pro, Limited Non-Pro, Intermediate Non-Pro, and Novice Horse for 2013-15.
 
"Darby is a very dedicated equestrian student-athlete and has worked very hard to get where she is today," Coach McKay said. "Darby's dedication was proven as she decided to take a gap year and spent the last year working with a successful reining trainer. She gained some very valuable experience that I know will help maintain our strength on our reining team. I love seeing these students that work hard to make their dreams come true and we are excited that Darby chose to attend Texas A&M."
 
"I am beyond excited to be a part of the Texas A&M equestrian team next year," Gardner said. "It has been my goal for as long as I can remember and I have worked very hard to make this happen. I am so excited to find out what the future holds for me as a student-athlete at Texas A&M. I am so thankful for the opportunity and would not be here without the help from my family, trainers and friends who have supported me every step of the way."
 
Hill is from nearby Georgetown, TX. In her time riding as a youth, she earned seven World Championships,  three Reserve World Championships,  eight Top-10 finishes at the Paint Horse Youth World, the Texas 4-H State Championship English Horseman and the Texas 4-H State Reserve Champion Western Horseman.
 
"I am looking forward to adding Julie to our roster," Weisinger said. "Julie has shown me her catch riding abilities with her success she has had already in her career. I also admire that Julie has done the majority of her riding and training on her own. She has had much success on the Pinto and Paint circuits and I am excited that she chose to bring her talents to Texas A&M."
 
"I chose Texas A&M because it meets my academic goals and I love the culture and traditions," Hill said. "I will be studying biomedical science and plan to become a doctor. I look forward to becoming part of the Aggie family."
 
Marlow is from Victoria, TX. She won the 2009 All-American Quarter Horse Congress 13 and Under Western Horsemanship. She collected seven World Championships at the Youth Paint World Show in 2011 and was also the Novice Youth 18 and Under All-Around and the Youth 13 and Under Reserve All-Around at the Youth Paint World Show in 2011.
 
"Texas A&M University has been the school of my dreams ever since I can remember," Marlow said. "I never imagined going anywhere else to pursue my dream of being a part of a collegiate equestrian team. The opportunities that the Aggie equestrian team offers are like none other. I am estastic for the opportunity to be under the guidance of elite coaches that will help me excel in my riding abilities and for the opportunity to be a part of such a talented team. I can't wait to see what my future holds at Texas A&M."
 
"Alex comes from a dedicated Aggie family following in her father's footsteps, he is a 1985 Texas A&M graduate," Coach Weisinger said. "Alex rides with a trainer who is very familiar with our program and who has had several other youth riders on our team. With this background and her success as a youth, I have no doubt she is going to excel. We are excited to keep the Aggie family tradition going and welcome her to our equestrian family."
 
Potts is from Victoria, TX.  At the 2015 APHA World Show she was Reserve World Champion 14-18 NY Trail and at the 2015 NSBA World Show she had several top 10 finishes.  In addition, she has earned the title of High Point All-Around at the San Antonio Stock Show and has several APHA Circuit Championships.
 
"Allee has bled maroon since she was born as both her parents are Former Students," Weisinger said. "She can ride many different types of horses and adjust to our showing format. Allee is not only a great rider, but also is involved in numerous community service projects and excels in the classroom. She is a great example of a well-rounded student-athlete.  I am very excited to welcome her to the 2016 Freshman Class."
 
"Horses have been a big part of my life since I was a little girl and my aunt started teaching me," Potts said. "My love for riding and competing continued to grow and I am thrilled to carry this dream to riding at the collegiate level. Texas A&M is where I've always wanted to be, especially with two Aggie parents. I love the spirit and tradition of the school. Being a part of the team is an amazing opportunity and I can't wait to get started."
 
Yohey is from Gainesville, Texas. She is the 2015 World Champion Limited Cow Horse APHJA as well as the 2015 AQHYA Reining Finalist and the 2015 NRHA Derby Reserve Champion Limited Non Pro. She added the 2015 High Roller Reining Classic Championship and the Reserve Champion 14-18 and Champion Paint 18 and Under. Yohey captured the 13 and under crown at both the 2009 and 2012 NRHA NW Affiliate, in addition to 2009 Reining By the Bay High Point Reserve Champion, 2011 Reining By The Bay High Point Champion and 2012 Cactus Classic Limited Non Pro Reserve Champion honors. The future Aggie was the 2013 High Roller Reining Classic Champion, 2013 NW Affiliate Finals Champion, 2014 AQHYA World Show Reining Finalist, 2014 High Rolley Reining Classic High Point Paint Champion, 2014 NW Affiliate Finals Champion, 2014 WCRGA Pro Derby Top Five and finished top-5 at WCRHA from 2007-2014.
 
"I am really looking forward to adding Courtney to our roster," Coach McKay said. "She was highly recruited and I know she will make an impact on our talented team. One thing I admire about this student-athlete is that she does all of her own riding and training. All of her hard work and dedication has led to much success in the reining world. She is also very active behind the scenes as she has held offices in the NRHYA and the WCRHA. Courtney is a great example of the well-rounded student-athlete and is a perfect fit for Texas A&M. We couldn't be happier that she chose to be a part of our Aggie family."
 
"It means absolutely everything to me to be able to be an equestrian student-athlete," Yohey said. "Riding is my entire life and I would be lost without it. I wake and am blessed to be a part of a sport that is as great as reining. It is an even greater honor to ride for Texas A&M. I have been dreaming about this moment since I was in fifth grade. I love everything about Texas A&M. I can't wait to be a small part of such a big thing."
 
The Aggie equestrian team is ranked No. 4 overall in the country and will open the spring portion of the schedule on Jan. 30 against Georgia at home in the Hildebrand Equine Complex.