COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M equestrian signed 14 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the 2017-18 season, head coach Tana McKay announced Monday.
The Aggies inked hunt seat riders Caroline Dance (West Chester, Pa.), Camryn Hulsey (St. Augustine, Fla.), Rhian Murphy (Charlotte, Vt.), Lauren Rachuba (Woodbine, Md.), Lindsay Schauder (Greenwich, Conn.), Mali Selman (Leesburg, Va.) and Hayden Stewart (Dover, Mass.), horsemanship riders Alex Albright (Lockport, Ill.), Rheagan Bryant (Madisonville, Texas), Cameron Crenwelge (Comfort, Texas) and Hannah Tapling (Chicago, Ill.), as well as reiners Grace Bentein (Auburn, Calif.), Marissa Harrell (Waco, Texas) and Shelby Reine (LaPlace, La.).
"We are beyond excited about our incoming class," McKay said. "We continue to be amazed at the talent pool that is out there every year and we feel honored that this group of talented athletes have chosen to become Aggies. With the recruiting of equestrian athletes changing, we have known a number of these ladies for an extended period of time. In that time, we have really enjoyed getting to know them and their families. This is a great group of young ladies that I feel will make an impact on our team."
Dance was a champion at the Junior Hunter Finals and winner of equitation classes at the Winter Equestrian Festival. The West Chester, Pa., native qualified for the George Morris Excellence in Equitation Class and finished fifth in the Pessoa Medal at Devon. Dance was selected to participate in the EAP Nationals and is a recipient of the Zone 2 Jim Rice Award.
Hulsey reached the 2011, Hulsey reached the NAL Children Jumper Finals and was named the 2013 Zone 4 Champion Low Junior Jumper. Hulsey received academic letters her junior and senior year after earning USEF high school varsity letters her freshman and sophomore seasons.
"Texas A&M welcomed me with open arms on my recruiting weekend and I immediately knew I wanted to be a part of the Aggie family and build on all the traditions the school has to offer," Hulsey said. "I can't wait to get to College Station."
Murphy recorded top 30 finishes at the 2015 and 2016 Maclay Finals and finished top 20 at the 2016 USET East Finals. At the 2015 ASPCA Kentucky Regional, Murphy placed third. The Charlotte, Vt., native earned multiple top ribbons at the Lake Placid Horse Show, Capital Challenge Horse Show and WEF. At the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, Murphy was named champion and classic winner in the Low Junior Jumpers.
"I felt immediately welcomed by everyone at the school, and comfortable with everyone on the team," Murphy said. "Being able to feel so at home in a place so far from my front door is one the many reasons I chose Texas A&M."
Rachuba, who has qualified for the USEF and Maclay Finals the past three years, won the 2016 Gittings Horsemanship Final and placed third at the NCEA East Final. In 2015, Rachuba was runner-up at the Gittings Horsemanship Final and eighth at the MHSA Hunt Seat Medal.
Selman recorded multiple top five finishes at the Virginia and Maryland Equitation Finals in 2015 and 2016 and placed fifth in the U.S. 3'3" Junior Hunter Finals in 2015. Selman was the Reserve Circuit Champion in 3'6" Junior Hunter at HITS Culpeper in 2016 and a top 10 finisher at the 2015 Zone III Equitation Finals. The Leesburg, Va., native was the high point T.I.P. winner at the Mid Atlantic Equitation Finals three years in a row. Selman will graduate in the top three-percent of her graduating class, is a member of the National Honor Society and National Science Honor Society and has earned three certificates of Academic Excellence in the 2015-16 school year.
Schauder placed 10th at the 2016 CHJA Junior Medal Finals and was named Junior Hunters Champion, best junior rider and finished second in the M&S Classic at the 2016 Vermont Summer Festival Week One. In week two of the Vermont Summer Festival, Schauder was Junior Hunters Reserve Champion, best junior rider and second in the M&S Classic. The Greenwich, Conn., native finished third in the High Children's Jumper Classic and fourth in the National $5,000 Hunter Derby at the Fairfield Hunt Club. Schauder has been named to the Dean's List and High Honor Roll (GPA of 3.9+) in all four years of high school.
"I chose Texas A&M because it felt like home and was somewhere that I could really see myself," Schauder said. "Everyone I met was so friendly and made me feel welcome. The entire equestrian team shared a bond and attitude that was inspirational."
Stewart finished in the top 25 at USEF Medal Finals and ASPCA Maclay Finals and earned ribbons in the Big Eq at WEF, HITS Saugerties, Vermont Summer Festival and Old Salem. Stewart has also placed in Junior Jumpers and Mini Prix in the northeast.
Albright was named World Champion in Showmanship and Reserve Champion in Horsemanship at the 2016 American Quarter Horse Youth Association World Show and was Reserve Champion in Youth 15-18 Showmanship at the 2016 AQHA Congress. The Lockport, Ill., native placed third in NYATT Showmanship, fourth in NYATT Horsemanship and sixth in Youth 15-18 Horsemanship at Congress. At the 2015 AQHA Congress, Albright finished fourth in Youth 15-18 Horsemanship.
"I chose to attend Texas A&M after learning about its top notch business school and equestrian team," Albright said. "I felt that Texas A&M had a great environment with all of the traditions bringing all of the students together to make lifelong friends."
Bryant has recorded multiple top 10 and finalist fishes at the AQHA Congress as well as multiple High Point and Reserve High Point and Circuit Championships. The National Honor Society member finished in the top 10 in AQHA Level 2 Showmanship. Bryant will graduate in the top 10-pecent of her class, is a member of Beta Club, FFA, Prosperity Bank Junior Board and is the Texas Quarter Horse Association Vice President.
"I chose to attend Texas A&M because I have always loved the traditions of the school the honor that comes with the degree and the ring," Bryant said.
Crenwelge finished in the top five in Youth Horsemanship at the 2016 NSBA World Show and was Grand Champion at the 2016 Market Lamb Austin Stock Show. In 2015, Crenwelge was Reserve NSBA World Champion in the BCF 3-6 year-old Open Trail and NSBA World Champion Novice Youth at the 2014 SMS. The Comfort, Texas native is a member of the Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica and Ambassador for the National Society of High School Scholars.
"I have always loved Texas A&M because of its rich tradition, high moral standards, and outstanding education," Crenwelge said. "I have always known that Texas A&M is the school for me, and the opportunity to represent the school I love as a student-athlete is an experience that I have looked forward to since the day I started riding horses."
Tapling recorded a top 15 finish in 15-18 Equitation at the AQHA Congress and was an AQHYA World Show semi-finalist in Equitation. Tapling won the AQHA Youth Championship and holds multiple AQHA All-Arounds and Illinois Quarter Horse Association year end awards. The National Honor Society Member has earned a 5.3 GPA.
"There are many reasons that I chose to attend Texas A&M University," Tapling said. "I have always loved the state of Texas and hoped to one day attend college there. As soon as I stepped onto campus for the first time, I just knew that it was where I belonged. I fell in love with College Station right away. Over the summer I attended the Texas A&M Equestrian Camp. Over the few days that I was there I realized that Coach (Jessie) Weisinger's teaching style and my style meshed really well. When I went on my visit in September, I took a tour of the campus and felt right at home. The girls on the team were all so welcoming and made me feel as if I was part of the team already. I knew that it was the university for me when I was getting on the plane to go home, yet I had absolutely no desire to leave"
Bentein was named Reserve Champion in Non Pro Derby Level 1 at the 2016 WCRHA Best in the West. At the 2015 NRHA Futurity Show, Bentein placed fourth out of 108 entries in Limited Non Pro and was USA Reining Youth Reserve Champion. The Auburn, Calif., native was the Youth Reining 14-18 Champion and Novice Youth Reining Champion while being named the Jan Bacharach BOOTIN' UP Perpetual Trophy Winner at the 2015 PCQHA High Point Standings. Bentein was named the Rookie Level 1 Champion, Rookie Level 2 Champion, Youth 13 & Under Champion and Rookie Youth Champion at the 2013 Reining By The Bay.
"Once I saw Texas A&M, I was just blown away," Bentein said. "No other school could compare after that. I have never met so many good hearted, welcoming, friendly people until I visited Texas A&M. The education I get the chance to receive is outstanding and the advisors are so helpful and ready to do what's needed to make I succeed. The equestrian facility cannot be compared. The coaches are all wonderful people who I look forward to work with. The campus is beautiful and filled with opportunity for success. I've never encountered anything like Aggie Pride. I don't know how to explain it, but it's an amazing experience. Texas A&M just feels like home, and I'm really excited to start next fall."
Harrell was the 2014 and 2015 AjPHA World Champion in Reining and 2014 AjPHA World Reserve Champion in Youth Ranch Horse. In 2015, Harrell was named the AjPHA World Champion in Working Cow Horse and finished in the top five at the NRHA Affiliate Finals. Harrell also recorded a top 10 finish at the 2016 Reining Classic Youth Affiliate.
"My decision to choose Texas A&M is due mostly to a warmth and friendliness of Coach McKay, the staff and the team members that I had an opportunity to interact with," Harrell said. "They each helped me feel very welcomed and at home. Also, the incredible Aggie traditions that I have seen provided me with an incredible feeling of family at Texas A&M. I can't wait to be an Aggie."
The first ever Ranch Pleasure World Champion at the AQHYA World Show in 2013, Reine was a finalist in World in Ranch Riding and sixth in World in Reining at the 2016 AQHYA World Show. In 2015, Reine was a two-time World Champion in Ranch Riding and World Finalist in Reining at the AQHYA World Show. The LaPlace, La., native was a Futurity Finalist Level 1 at the NRHA Futurity and Derby Finalist in Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 at the NRHA Derby. Reine was the Level 1, 2 and 3 Champion and Level 4 Reserve Champion at the 2014 NRHA Heritage Futurity. In 2013, Reine placed fifth in World in Reining at the AQHYA World Show and was Reserve Champion in Youth 14-18 Reining at the NRHA Southwest Affiliate Finals.
"I am beyond excited and grateful to have the opportunity to be a member of the Texas A&M equestrian team next year," Reine said. "This has been my goal since the third grade. I have worked very hard to make it a reality. I owe a world of thanks to my late grandpa for getting me started with horses at a very young age. I am also very appreciative to my family, trainers, schools and friends who have supported me along the way. Without them this would not be possible. It is difficult to put into words the incredible Aggie spirit and family, but I am thrilled to now be part of something so unique. I can't wait to see what my future holds as a student-athlete at Texas A&M."
To learn more about the Texas A&M Equestrian team, log onto www.12thman.com or follow @AggieEquestrian on Twitter.
The Aggies inked hunt seat riders Caroline Dance (West Chester, Pa.), Camryn Hulsey (St. Augustine, Fla.), Rhian Murphy (Charlotte, Vt.), Lauren Rachuba (Woodbine, Md.), Lindsay Schauder (Greenwich, Conn.), Mali Selman (Leesburg, Va.) and Hayden Stewart (Dover, Mass.), horsemanship riders Alex Albright (Lockport, Ill.), Rheagan Bryant (Madisonville, Texas), Cameron Crenwelge (Comfort, Texas) and Hannah Tapling (Chicago, Ill.), as well as reiners Grace Bentein (Auburn, Calif.), Marissa Harrell (Waco, Texas) and Shelby Reine (LaPlace, La.).
"We are beyond excited about our incoming class," McKay said. "We continue to be amazed at the talent pool that is out there every year and we feel honored that this group of talented athletes have chosen to become Aggies. With the recruiting of equestrian athletes changing, we have known a number of these ladies for an extended period of time. In that time, we have really enjoyed getting to know them and their families. This is a great group of young ladies that I feel will make an impact on our team."
Dance was a champion at the Junior Hunter Finals and winner of equitation classes at the Winter Equestrian Festival. The West Chester, Pa., native qualified for the George Morris Excellence in Equitation Class and finished fifth in the Pessoa Medal at Devon. Dance was selected to participate in the EAP Nationals and is a recipient of the Zone 2 Jim Rice Award.
Hulsey reached the 2011, Hulsey reached the NAL Children Jumper Finals and was named the 2013 Zone 4 Champion Low Junior Jumper. Hulsey received academic letters her junior and senior year after earning USEF high school varsity letters her freshman and sophomore seasons.
"Texas A&M welcomed me with open arms on my recruiting weekend and I immediately knew I wanted to be a part of the Aggie family and build on all the traditions the school has to offer," Hulsey said. "I can't wait to get to College Station."
Murphy recorded top 30 finishes at the 2015 and 2016 Maclay Finals and finished top 20 at the 2016 USET East Finals. At the 2015 ASPCA Kentucky Regional, Murphy placed third. The Charlotte, Vt., native earned multiple top ribbons at the Lake Placid Horse Show, Capital Challenge Horse Show and WEF. At the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, Murphy was named champion and classic winner in the Low Junior Jumpers.
"I felt immediately welcomed by everyone at the school, and comfortable with everyone on the team," Murphy said. "Being able to feel so at home in a place so far from my front door is one the many reasons I chose Texas A&M."
Rachuba, who has qualified for the USEF and Maclay Finals the past three years, won the 2016 Gittings Horsemanship Final and placed third at the NCEA East Final. In 2015, Rachuba was runner-up at the Gittings Horsemanship Final and eighth at the MHSA Hunt Seat Medal.
Selman recorded multiple top five finishes at the Virginia and Maryland Equitation Finals in 2015 and 2016 and placed fifth in the U.S. 3'3" Junior Hunter Finals in 2015. Selman was the Reserve Circuit Champion in 3'6" Junior Hunter at HITS Culpeper in 2016 and a top 10 finisher at the 2015 Zone III Equitation Finals. The Leesburg, Va., native was the high point T.I.P. winner at the Mid Atlantic Equitation Finals three years in a row. Selman will graduate in the top three-percent of her graduating class, is a member of the National Honor Society and National Science Honor Society and has earned three certificates of Academic Excellence in the 2015-16 school year.
Schauder placed 10th at the 2016 CHJA Junior Medal Finals and was named Junior Hunters Champion, best junior rider and finished second in the M&S Classic at the 2016 Vermont Summer Festival Week One. In week two of the Vermont Summer Festival, Schauder was Junior Hunters Reserve Champion, best junior rider and second in the M&S Classic. The Greenwich, Conn., native finished third in the High Children's Jumper Classic and fourth in the National $5,000 Hunter Derby at the Fairfield Hunt Club. Schauder has been named to the Dean's List and High Honor Roll (GPA of 3.9+) in all four years of high school.
"I chose Texas A&M because it felt like home and was somewhere that I could really see myself," Schauder said. "Everyone I met was so friendly and made me feel welcome. The entire equestrian team shared a bond and attitude that was inspirational."
Stewart finished in the top 25 at USEF Medal Finals and ASPCA Maclay Finals and earned ribbons in the Big Eq at WEF, HITS Saugerties, Vermont Summer Festival and Old Salem. Stewart has also placed in Junior Jumpers and Mini Prix in the northeast.
Albright was named World Champion in Showmanship and Reserve Champion in Horsemanship at the 2016 American Quarter Horse Youth Association World Show and was Reserve Champion in Youth 15-18 Showmanship at the 2016 AQHA Congress. The Lockport, Ill., native placed third in NYATT Showmanship, fourth in NYATT Horsemanship and sixth in Youth 15-18 Horsemanship at Congress. At the 2015 AQHA Congress, Albright finished fourth in Youth 15-18 Horsemanship.
"I chose to attend Texas A&M after learning about its top notch business school and equestrian team," Albright said. "I felt that Texas A&M had a great environment with all of the traditions bringing all of the students together to make lifelong friends."
Bryant has recorded multiple top 10 and finalist fishes at the AQHA Congress as well as multiple High Point and Reserve High Point and Circuit Championships. The National Honor Society member finished in the top 10 in AQHA Level 2 Showmanship. Bryant will graduate in the top 10-pecent of her class, is a member of Beta Club, FFA, Prosperity Bank Junior Board and is the Texas Quarter Horse Association Vice President.
"I chose to attend Texas A&M because I have always loved the traditions of the school the honor that comes with the degree and the ring," Bryant said.
Crenwelge finished in the top five in Youth Horsemanship at the 2016 NSBA World Show and was Grand Champion at the 2016 Market Lamb Austin Stock Show. In 2015, Crenwelge was Reserve NSBA World Champion in the BCF 3-6 year-old Open Trail and NSBA World Champion Novice Youth at the 2014 SMS. The Comfort, Texas native is a member of the Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica and Ambassador for the National Society of High School Scholars.
"I have always loved Texas A&M because of its rich tradition, high moral standards, and outstanding education," Crenwelge said. "I have always known that Texas A&M is the school for me, and the opportunity to represent the school I love as a student-athlete is an experience that I have looked forward to since the day I started riding horses."
Tapling recorded a top 15 finish in 15-18 Equitation at the AQHA Congress and was an AQHYA World Show semi-finalist in Equitation. Tapling won the AQHA Youth Championship and holds multiple AQHA All-Arounds and Illinois Quarter Horse Association year end awards. The National Honor Society Member has earned a 5.3 GPA.
"There are many reasons that I chose to attend Texas A&M University," Tapling said. "I have always loved the state of Texas and hoped to one day attend college there. As soon as I stepped onto campus for the first time, I just knew that it was where I belonged. I fell in love with College Station right away. Over the summer I attended the Texas A&M Equestrian Camp. Over the few days that I was there I realized that Coach (Jessie) Weisinger's teaching style and my style meshed really well. When I went on my visit in September, I took a tour of the campus and felt right at home. The girls on the team were all so welcoming and made me feel as if I was part of the team already. I knew that it was the university for me when I was getting on the plane to go home, yet I had absolutely no desire to leave"
Bentein was named Reserve Champion in Non Pro Derby Level 1 at the 2016 WCRHA Best in the West. At the 2015 NRHA Futurity Show, Bentein placed fourth out of 108 entries in Limited Non Pro and was USA Reining Youth Reserve Champion. The Auburn, Calif., native was the Youth Reining 14-18 Champion and Novice Youth Reining Champion while being named the Jan Bacharach BOOTIN' UP Perpetual Trophy Winner at the 2015 PCQHA High Point Standings. Bentein was named the Rookie Level 1 Champion, Rookie Level 2 Champion, Youth 13 & Under Champion and Rookie Youth Champion at the 2013 Reining By The Bay.
"Once I saw Texas A&M, I was just blown away," Bentein said. "No other school could compare after that. I have never met so many good hearted, welcoming, friendly people until I visited Texas A&M. The education I get the chance to receive is outstanding and the advisors are so helpful and ready to do what's needed to make I succeed. The equestrian facility cannot be compared. The coaches are all wonderful people who I look forward to work with. The campus is beautiful and filled with opportunity for success. I've never encountered anything like Aggie Pride. I don't know how to explain it, but it's an amazing experience. Texas A&M just feels like home, and I'm really excited to start next fall."
Harrell was the 2014 and 2015 AjPHA World Champion in Reining and 2014 AjPHA World Reserve Champion in Youth Ranch Horse. In 2015, Harrell was named the AjPHA World Champion in Working Cow Horse and finished in the top five at the NRHA Affiliate Finals. Harrell also recorded a top 10 finish at the 2016 Reining Classic Youth Affiliate.
"My decision to choose Texas A&M is due mostly to a warmth and friendliness of Coach McKay, the staff and the team members that I had an opportunity to interact with," Harrell said. "They each helped me feel very welcomed and at home. Also, the incredible Aggie traditions that I have seen provided me with an incredible feeling of family at Texas A&M. I can't wait to be an Aggie."
The first ever Ranch Pleasure World Champion at the AQHYA World Show in 2013, Reine was a finalist in World in Ranch Riding and sixth in World in Reining at the 2016 AQHYA World Show. In 2015, Reine was a two-time World Champion in Ranch Riding and World Finalist in Reining at the AQHYA World Show. The LaPlace, La., native was a Futurity Finalist Level 1 at the NRHA Futurity and Derby Finalist in Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 at the NRHA Derby. Reine was the Level 1, 2 and 3 Champion and Level 4 Reserve Champion at the 2014 NRHA Heritage Futurity. In 2013, Reine placed fifth in World in Reining at the AQHYA World Show and was Reserve Champion in Youth 14-18 Reining at the NRHA Southwest Affiliate Finals.
"I am beyond excited and grateful to have the opportunity to be a member of the Texas A&M equestrian team next year," Reine said. "This has been my goal since the third grade. I have worked very hard to make it a reality. I owe a world of thanks to my late grandpa for getting me started with horses at a very young age. I am also very appreciative to my family, trainers, schools and friends who have supported me along the way. Without them this would not be possible. It is difficult to put into words the incredible Aggie spirit and family, but I am thrilled to now be part of something so unique. I can't wait to see what my future holds as a student-athlete at Texas A&M."
To learn more about the Texas A&M Equestrian team, log onto www.12thman.com or follow @AggieEquestrian on Twitter.