Including reserve national champion, Blue Raider riders end year on high note

With virtually a new team of riders, the nationally renowned Middle Tennessee State University stock horse team had impressive showings — including reserve national champion — when they recently wrapped up their season.

Trying to defend their national championship from 2022, six Blue Raider riders placed second overall (designated reserve national champion) and earned a number of top individual honors at the annual American Stock Horse Association competition in Sweetwater, Texas.

Middle Tennessee State University stock horse team member JoBeth Scarlett of New Market, Tenn., performs a sliding stop on Twentyeleventwister in competition. She and her horse were National All-Around Champions in the Non-Pro Division at the national competition in Sweetwater, Texas, and she scored 80 in the Limited Ranch Riding category at the event in Amarillo, Texas. (Photo by Cait Russell Photography)

Days earlier, the MTSU team clinched fifth place overall competing against more than 150 riders from more than 14 states across the country at the Hughes Trailer National Intercollegiate Ranch and Stock Horse Association National Championship show in Amarillo, Texas. They competed in ranch trail, ranch riding, cow work and reining categories.

Andrea Rego, instructor in MTSU's Horse Science Program in the School of Agriculture, stock horse team coach, and coordinator of the Center of Equine Recovery for Veterans — Andrea Rego

“This is nearly an entirely new team I took this year,” said coach Andrea Rego. “Most of them have never competed in ranch events prior to coming to MTSU. I am so proud of each of their efforts to rise to the occasion and represent Tennessee so well.

“We could not do this 2,000-mile trip each year without our dedicated students, supportive parents and amazing sponsors. The future of this team is bright and we can’t wait for next year.”

To learn more about the MTSU stock horse team, email Rego at Andrea.Rego@mtsu.edu.

Horse science is just one of many School of Agribusiness programs in the College of Basic and Applied Sciences.

From left, Middle Tennessee State University stock horse team members Kara Brown, Audrey Ferrie, JoBeth Scarlett, Cory Elks, Kenlee West and Allyssa Kraker recently earned reserve national champion status and a fifth-place finish at national competitions in Sweetwater and Amarillo, Texas. (Photo by Cait Russell Photography)

MTSU Sweetwater highlights

• JoBeth Scarlett, a senior horse science major from New Market, Tennessee, and Twentyeleventwister were National All-Around Champions in the Non-Pro division.

• Kara Brown, a senior horse science major from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and Citas QT Sweetheart were National All-Around Champions in the Limited Non-Pro Division.

• Audrey Ferrie, a junior business administration major from Warren, Pennsylvania, and BC Pennys from Tari were National All-Around Champions in the Novice Division.

• Alyssa Kraker, a senior horse science major from Dallas, Georgia, and Lady in Reeboks were Reserve National All-Around Champions in the Novice Division.

• Kenlee West, a sophomore horse science major from Samantha, Alabama, and Smarty Got Spooked were third overall in the Green Horse Division.

• Cory Elks a senior horse science major from Troy, Tennessee, and Ruf Lil Whiz was third overall in the Novice Division.

Blue Raider Amarillo highlights

Scarlett scored an 80 in the Limited Ranch Riding, claiming the top spot in the class for go-round 2. Additionally, Scarlett and Kraker were top 20 overall in their divisions for the event featuring 60 riders.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)