Equestrian Inks 11 for 2018-19

COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M equestrian signed 11 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the 2018-19 season, head coach Tana McKay announced Thursday.
 
The Aggies inked Hunt Seat riders Grace Boston (Owings Mills, Md.), Nicole Leonard (Vista, Calif.), Haley Redifer (Barboursville, Va.) and Lauren Reid (Bedminster, N.J.), Horsemanship riders Evelyn Beesaw (Bryan, Texas), Kamiah McGrath (Schulenburg, Texas), Ana Potts (San Marcos, Texas) and Isabel Schween (Gilroy, Calif.) and Reiners Lisa Bricker (Temecula, Calif.), Taylor Masson (Davie, Fla.) and Kenleigh Wells (Valley View, Texas).
 
"As our recruiting process has changed, a lot of these kids have visited two or three times, so we really get to know these prospective student-athletes and their families," McKay said. "Not only are they very talented athletes, we know they are going to be great Aggies because we know them, their families and their values. We know that they are going to fit into Texas A&M really well and be great ambassadors for our school and also for our sport."
 
Boston was the Reserve Champion at the 2017 Junior Hunter Finals and finished fifth in the 2017 Hunterdon Cup and eighth in the 2016 Maclay Finals. Boston was named the Maclay Regionals Champion in 2016 and followed with a Reserve Champion finish in 2017. Boston has recorded two top-25 finishes at the USEF Medal Finals.
 
"For me, signing a NLI to Texas A&M means that I am moving forward in my life and starting a new and exciting chapter with a team that I believe in and I am so honored to be a part of it," Boston said.
 
In 2017, Leonard placed in the top-12 at the Greater San Diego Hunter Jumper Association (GSDHJA) Junior Medal and was the GSDHJA Finals Champion in Equitation on the Flat, qualifying for the GSDHJA Medal Finals. Leonard was named the champion of the GSDHJA Flat Medal Finals in 2016 and qualified for the GSDHJA Junior Medal Finals and GSDHJA Medal Finals, where she was named champion in Equitation on the Flat and Reserve Champion in Equitation over Fences. In 2015, Leonard was the GSDHJA champion in Equitation 14-17 and Junior Hunters and placed third in the Equitation Challenge. Leonard was named champion in the San Diego Scholastic Equestrian League's Varsity Medal and Varsity Junior Hunters and was the SDSEL's High Point Hunter Rider.
 
"Signing a NLI to Texas A&M is an absolute dream come true," Leonard said. "From a young age I knew I wanted to ride on a Division I team. The summer going into my freshman year I visited Texas A&M and it immediately felt like home. I knew this is where I wanted to be. Being able to ride and live out this dream is truly something special."
 
Redifer won the 2016 Virginia Hunt Seat Medal Final, Maryland Medal Final, The Bryan Trophy, and was the champion at the USHJA Zone 3 Equitation Final. Redifer took top honors at the Amy Ylvisaker Reistrup Equitation Challenge and in 2017, won the Washington International Horse Show Jumper Phase and Maclay at Devon. Redifer was named Reserve Champion at Junior Hunter Finals in 2017 also won the international derby at Brandywine Valley.
 
"Signing with Texas A&M means the world to me. It means that everything I have worked so hard for has paid off by helping me get into such a wonderful school," Redifer stated. "Signing also promises me four years of having not just a team to compete with but a family to grow with. I am so excited to start this new phase in my life and be dedicated not only to this team and its coaches but to the school that I will call home for the next four years."
 
Reid was named the Reserve Champion at NCEA Finals and placed in the top-10 in the Hunter Phase at Lake Placid and in the Maclay at WEF. Reid finished second and third at Zone 2 Hunter Finals and was Reserve Champion at the Harrisburg National Stirrup Cup. Rid was champion in Age Equitation at HITS Ocala and was named Reserve Champion at Marshall and Sterling Finals in the Children's Medal.
 
"Becoming an Aggie is a huge accomplishment for me," Reid said. "The Aggie community runs deep and I know that I'll never be alone wherever I am. Having the opportunity to ride for one of the top schools in the country is such an honor and I can't wait to be a part of such an amazing team."
 
A native of Bryan, Texas, Beesaw was named the 2017 ApHC Novice Western Pleasure World Champion and ApHC Hunter Under Saddle Reserve World Champion. Beesaw was also the Texas State 4-H Champion in Hunt Seat Equitation and the High Point Overall at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Horse Show. Beesaw is set to graduate from Travis B. Bryan High School in 2018 in the top-two percent with an International Baccalaureate diploma. An active member of the National Honor Society, Beesaw is also active and a past President of the Brazos Country Equestrian 4-H Club and is a member of Vocal Legacy and the Bryan High School Choir.
 
"Since I grew up in Bryan, I've always appreciated the traditions, history, and legacy of Texas A&M," Beesaw said. "As soon as I walked on campus for the first time, I knew it was the place for me. Being on the equestrian team here has been a goal and dream of mine for forever, and I am so excited that it is finally happening."
 
McGrath is a five-time AQHA Congress Champion, three-time Congress All-Around Champion and won the Youth Year End Highpoint in Western Pleasure in 2014. McGrath was named the 2017 AQHA World Champion in Western Riding and was Reserve Champion at Congress in All-Around 15-18. At the 2012 Congress, McGrath was named Champion in the Youth All-Around and Youth 11 and Under All-Around, before being named Champion at the 2014 Congress in Youth 12-14 All-Around and Reserve Champion in the Youth All-Around.
 
"I fell in love with the school on my first visit and knew Texas A&M was best fit for me," McGrath said. 
 
Potts was named Reserve Champion in L1 Horsemanship 14-18 and placed third in L1 Trail at the 2017 Congress. The 2017 Florida Gulf Coast Horsemanship L1 Circuit Champion was named the 2016 NSBA Reserve Champion in Non-Pro Equitation and was the 2014 APHA Youth World Champion in Equitation. A volunteer for PALS, a service organization to mentor younger children, Potts has served as a student leader for both Young Life and FCA. Ana joins her sister, Allee, who is currently a sophomore on the A&M team.
 
"Having the opportunity to ride for Texas A&M is something I've wanted to do for several years now, and my desire to be part of such an amazing team grew even stronger after watching my older sister join the team in 2016," Potts said. "I am from a family of Aggies and have grown up loving the traditions and friendly atmosphere of Aggieland. It already feels like home, and I am also looking forward to the Animal Science program that I plan to major in." 
 
Schween recorded seven top-15 finishes at the 2017 AQHA Congress including three top-10 finishes and was named a finalist twice. At the 2015 West Level 1 Championships, Schween was the Reserve Champion in 14-18 Trail, third in 14-18 Equitation, fifth in Youth Trail, eighth in 14-18 Horsemanship and 14-18 Western Riding and was third overall in All Around 14-18. The four-time Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Association All Around winner has been named to the academic honor roll the last three years and is a member of the varsity soccer team. Schween is also active in National Honor Society and served as the PCQYHA Vice President is 2015-16.
 
"For me, Texas A&M has always been a dream school and to get the opportunity to not only be admitted as a student, but a Division I athlete was something I'd only considered in my wildest dreams," Schween said. "As a student-athlete, I aim to push myself in my sport as well as my academics, and Texas A&M gives me the tools to accomplish both of those goals. I felt at home at the school, on the team, and with my coaches, and knew the opportunities I would be given here are ones that no other school could possibly match. I felt incredibly lucky to be given this opportunity as gratification for all the years of hard work I have put in to receive it, and there's no place I could imagine which even compares to Texas A&M."
 
Bricker was named the 2017 National Reining Horse Association Rookie Level 2 Champion at the California Reining Horse Association Challenge and was the Southern California Reining Horse Associate Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 and Level 2 Champion. Bricker was also named the 2017 SDSEL Gymkhana Reserve Champion. In 2016, she qualified for the NRHA affiliate finals and was a top-five finisher in the CRHA Youth 14-18. Bricker was named the 2015 SDSEL Western League and Hunter Reserve Champion and was a Wine Country Barrel Racer and West Coast Barrel Horse Association Finalist. A 2015-16 SEDSEL Reserve Champion in Children Jumpers and Horsemanship Highpoint, Bricker qualified for the 2014 National Barrel Horse Association Las Vegas Super Show and was the 2013 NRHA Youth 13 & Under CRHA Affiliate Champion.
 
"I never saw myself leaving California, however, following my visit and meeting all the amazing individuals who made me feel so apart of the team already, I knew for a fact Texas A&M was where I wanted to be and that no other school could even compare to it," Bricker said. "Signing with A&M and knowing I am beyond lucky enough to have the opportunity to represent the school as a student-athlete is the ultimate childhood dream come true. None of this could have been possible without the support and encouragement of everyone in my life and for the coaches who believe in me and what's to come. It is going to be easy to call Texas A&M home, and I couldn't describe the excitement I have to start next fall."
 
Masson placed third in the NRHA Youth World Standings and was a NRHA Futurity Finalist in 2013 and 2014. In addition to multiple South East Regional Affiliate and Florida Reining Association Year End Championships, Masson was the 2014 and 2014 National Reining Breeders Classic Youth Champion and Reserve Champion. In 2014, she was named the IEA Regional Champion and finished in the top-five at the National Championship. Masson currently serves as the NRHyA Secretary.
 
"Signing the NLI to Texas A&M seems so surreal to me," Masson said. "It has been a lifelong dream of mine to ride for a Division I school. I have worked so hard to be able to accomplish this goal and I cannot even put into words my feelings I have today. It has proven to me that all of the hard work and dedication really can pay off. I have realized that being a college athlete requires a lot more than myself, it requires me to put my teammates first and for us support of each other, which I believe turns us into one big family. While visiting Texas A&M, it had made me realize that I am ready to bring the sportsmanship and dedication I have for the sport on to the next level with these great group of girls.
 
Wells was the 2017 NRHA South Central Youth 14-18 Reserve Champion and the Southwest Reining Horse Association Youth 14-18 Circuit Champion. A three-time North American Affiliate Championship Youth top-five finisher, Wells was the 2015 NRHA South Central Affiliate Youth 14-18 Champion and 2012 North American Affiliate Youth Champion. In addition to being named the 2014 NAAC Reserve Champion Youth, Wells is an Oklahoma Reining Horse Association Multiple Year Champion in Youth and Limited Non-Pro. Since 2015, Wells has served as an NRHyA Youth Officer and currently serves as the Vice President.
 
 "Signing my NLI to Texas A&M is a dream for me," Wells said. "Texas A&M has everything I want in a school and team. The tradition in College Station is important to me. The integrity at Texas A&M shows how unique and special this town and team are. I've had lots of early mornings and late nights, sometimes bad weather and hard work riding but my love of horses has always helped me succeed."
 
To learn more about the Aggie equestrian team, log onto 12thman.com or follow @AggieEquestrian on Twitter.
 

Name	Event	Hometown
Evelyn Beesaw	Horsemanship	Bryan, Texas
Lisa Bricker	Reining	Temecula, Calif.
Grace Boston	Hunt Seat	Owings, Md.
Nicole Leonard	Hunt Seat	Vista, Calif.
/Taylor Masson	Reining	Davie, Fla.
Kamiah McGrath	Horsemanship	Schulenburg, Texas
Ana Potts	Horsemanship	San Marcos, Texas
Haley Redifer	Hunt Seat	Barboursville, Va.
Lauren Reid	Hunt Seat	Bedminster, N.J.
Isabel Schween	Horsemanship	Gilroy, Calif.
Kenleigh Wells	Reining	Valley View, Texas