Equestrian Welcomes Seven to 2026 Signing Class
Nov 17, 2025 | Equestrian
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – The Texas A&M equestrian inked seven signees in the Class of 2026 head coach Tana McKay announced Friday afternoon.
"This class reflects the future of our program," said McKay. "Athletes who are coachable, driven, and committed to excellence in every arena. We are thrilled to have them join the Aggie family!"
The Aggies signed three to the Western discipline in Maddie Alden, Julianna Gonzalez and Courtney Hammit. In Jumping Seat, the Maroon & White welcomed four newcomers in Izzy Beisel, Adriana Forte, Avery Smith and Macy Kate Young.
2026 Signing Class
Maddie Alden | Horsemanship | Pilot Point, Texas
Previous Athletic Experience: Alden brings an extensive record of youth all-around success, highlighted by multiple APHA and AQHYA World and Reserve World Championships, an NSBA World title, and championships across Horsemanship, Showmanship, Equitation, and Western Riding. She was the 2023 Reserve Justin Boot Exhibitor of the Year and Texas' overall high-point youth exhibitor.
Personal: Alden plans to study business and finance and hopes to attend law school to specialize in contract or employment law. She enjoys fishing, playing pickleball and sand volleyball, and spending time with family and friends. She has earned her welding certificate, enjoys ag mechanics, and proudly notes that her great-grandfather pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Izzy Beisel |Jumping Seat | Cincinnati, Oh.
Previous Athletic Experience: Beisel is a proven national competitor with top finishes at the USEF Medal and Maclay Finals. She has also notched wins at major WEC events, numerous Grand Prix, Future Prix, Welcome Stake as well as Hunter Derby victories and a championship at Devon.
Personal: Beisel plans to major in sport management and hopes to continue her family's legacy in professional show jumping. She enjoys running, journaling, scrapbooking, roller skating and has an extensive love for mac-and-cheese and her pet hermit crabs.
Adriana Forte | Jumping Seat | Water Mill, NY.
Previous Athletic Experience: Forte is one of the nation's top junior riders, winning the 2024 Washington International Equitation Final and earning multiple podium finishes at Maclay, Dover Medal, and WEF Equitation Championships. She also boasts major jumper wins, including the $20,000 WEC Hunter Derby and $30,000 Princeton Grand Prix, plus team medals at Prix de States and NAYC.
Personal: Forte plans to major in agricultural communications and continue riding professionally after college. She enjoys baking and performed high-level ballet and Irish dance.
Juliana Gonzales | Reining | Houston, Texas
Previous Athletic Experience: Gonzales has multiple top-five and top-10 finishes at NRHA major events, including the 100X Reining Classic and APHA World Show. She was the 2021 NRHA Youth South Central Affiliate Champion and a two-time finalist in national Rookie Showdowns. She has also earned numerous circuit titles across the Southwest.
Personal: Gonzales plans to pursue a BBA in business management on the pre-law track and hopes to become a lawyer. She is a member of NHS and NSHS and previously ran cross country. She enjoys running and working out with friends. She has completed three half-marathons, two while fundraising for Team Catapult, an organization supporting athletes with disabilities.
Courtney Hammit | Reining | Madisonville, Texas
Previous Athletic Experience: Hammit is the 2022 AQHYA Reserve World Champion in Ranch Trail and a consistent finalist with multiple top-10 performances at AQHYA and NRHA major events.
Personal: Hammit plans to major in agricultural business and is a member of Beta Club, NHS, and FFA. She hopes to pursue a career working with horses. She also shares strong Aggie ties with her grandfather, David Hammit '71, and her father, Wes Hammit '98. She loves live music and sushi.
Avery Smith| Jumping Seat | Molalla, Ore.
Previous Athletic Experience: Smith earned the 2025 3'3" Jumping Seat Finals East Overall Championship and the 17-Year-Old Equitation title at the Capital Challenge, establishing herself as a top national equitation rider.
Personal: Smith plans to major in business.
Macy Kate Young | Jumping Seat | Dallas, Texas
Previous Athletic Experience: Young brings major wins from the Winter Equestrian Festival, Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, and Capital Challenge, to go along with victories at the Junior Hunter Classic at Pin Oak and a top-12 finish at the 3'3" Jumping Seat Medal Finals East.
Personal: Young plans to major in business administration. She enjoys sewing, baking, and spending time with family and friends.
How to Follow
To learn more about Texas A&M equestrian, go to 12thMan.com or follow @AggieEquestrian on X and Instagram.
"This class reflects the future of our program," said McKay. "Athletes who are coachable, driven, and committed to excellence in every arena. We are thrilled to have them join the Aggie family!"
The Aggies signed three to the Western discipline in Maddie Alden, Julianna Gonzalez and Courtney Hammit. In Jumping Seat, the Maroon & White welcomed four newcomers in Izzy Beisel, Adriana Forte, Avery Smith and Macy Kate Young.
2026 Signing Class
Maddie Alden | Horsemanship | Pilot Point, Texas
Previous Athletic Experience: Alden brings an extensive record of youth all-around success, highlighted by multiple APHA and AQHYA World and Reserve World Championships, an NSBA World title, and championships across Horsemanship, Showmanship, Equitation, and Western Riding. She was the 2023 Reserve Justin Boot Exhibitor of the Year and Texas' overall high-point youth exhibitor.
Personal: Alden plans to study business and finance and hopes to attend law school to specialize in contract or employment law. She enjoys fishing, playing pickleball and sand volleyball, and spending time with family and friends. She has earned her welding certificate, enjoys ag mechanics, and proudly notes that her great-grandfather pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Izzy Beisel |Jumping Seat | Cincinnati, Oh.
Previous Athletic Experience: Beisel is a proven national competitor with top finishes at the USEF Medal and Maclay Finals. She has also notched wins at major WEC events, numerous Grand Prix, Future Prix, Welcome Stake as well as Hunter Derby victories and a championship at Devon.
Personal: Beisel plans to major in sport management and hopes to continue her family's legacy in professional show jumping. She enjoys running, journaling, scrapbooking, roller skating and has an extensive love for mac-and-cheese and her pet hermit crabs.
Adriana Forte | Jumping Seat | Water Mill, NY.
Previous Athletic Experience: Forte is one of the nation's top junior riders, winning the 2024 Washington International Equitation Final and earning multiple podium finishes at Maclay, Dover Medal, and WEF Equitation Championships. She also boasts major jumper wins, including the $20,000 WEC Hunter Derby and $30,000 Princeton Grand Prix, plus team medals at Prix de States and NAYC.
Personal: Forte plans to major in agricultural communications and continue riding professionally after college. She enjoys baking and performed high-level ballet and Irish dance.
Juliana Gonzales | Reining | Houston, Texas
Previous Athletic Experience: Gonzales has multiple top-five and top-10 finishes at NRHA major events, including the 100X Reining Classic and APHA World Show. She was the 2021 NRHA Youth South Central Affiliate Champion and a two-time finalist in national Rookie Showdowns. She has also earned numerous circuit titles across the Southwest.
Personal: Gonzales plans to pursue a BBA in business management on the pre-law track and hopes to become a lawyer. She is a member of NHS and NSHS and previously ran cross country. She enjoys running and working out with friends. She has completed three half-marathons, two while fundraising for Team Catapult, an organization supporting athletes with disabilities.
Courtney Hammit | Reining | Madisonville, Texas
Previous Athletic Experience: Hammit is the 2022 AQHYA Reserve World Champion in Ranch Trail and a consistent finalist with multiple top-10 performances at AQHYA and NRHA major events.
Personal: Hammit plans to major in agricultural business and is a member of Beta Club, NHS, and FFA. She hopes to pursue a career working with horses. She also shares strong Aggie ties with her grandfather, David Hammit '71, and her father, Wes Hammit '98. She loves live music and sushi.
Avery Smith| Jumping Seat | Molalla, Ore.
Previous Athletic Experience: Smith earned the 2025 3'3" Jumping Seat Finals East Overall Championship and the 17-Year-Old Equitation title at the Capital Challenge, establishing herself as a top national equitation rider.
Personal: Smith plans to major in business.
Macy Kate Young | Jumping Seat | Dallas, Texas
Previous Athletic Experience: Young brings major wins from the Winter Equestrian Festival, Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, and Capital Challenge, to go along with victories at the Junior Hunter Classic at Pin Oak and a top-12 finish at the 3'3" Jumping Seat Medal Finals East.
Personal: Young plans to major in business administration. She enjoys sewing, baking, and spending time with family and friends.
How to Follow
To learn more about Texas A&M equestrian, go to 12thMan.com or follow @AggieEquestrian on X and Instagram.
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