Bringing home national championships is second nature to Tarleton State University’s rodeo teams, but another equine-related team on campus is also making a name for itself in the competitive arena.

Tarleton’s Stock Horse of Texas (SHOT) team is building their reputation as tough competitors in the collegiate and non-pro divisions.

The team recently returned from competing in Abilene on March 5-7, where they finished fourth in the collegiate division. Other universities in attendance included Texas Tech University, Texas A&M University, Sam Houston State University, Stephen F. Austin University, West Texas A&M University, Clarendon Community College, New Mexico State University and Laramie County Community College.

In addition to competing on a team, SHOT team members competed against almost 200 other entries for placings in the competition.

Individually for the team, Nicole Kneal from Tomball, Texas, finished second in the novice all-around, third in working cow horse, second in trail, 12th in pleasure and 13th in reining on her horse Doc Hickory Dickory. Also in the novice division, Stephanie Dickson from Bells, Texas, finished 10th in pleasure on a horse her parents bred and she trained.

In the limited non-pro division, Laura Pearson from Arlington, Texas, finished 10th in the working cow horse on her house TSU Highbrow Sonita. Pearson purchased the Tarleton-bred horse through the university’s annual horse sale and has trained the gelding.

Prior to the Abilene show, the SHOT team competed at an even in Stephenville at the Lone Star Arena. There, Pearson won the all-around in the limited non-pro division. Also in the non-pro, Brandy Brown from Austin, Texas, was fifth in the all-around on Docs Dakota Sunrise.

While many universities own the horses their SHOT team members ride, all of Tarleton’s team members compete on their own horses.

Teams are able to enter two riders in the non-pro, limited non-pro and novice divisions. Tarleton SHOT team members select riders who will compete on the team, but all are eligible to compete in each competition. Those competing on the team must meet eligibility requirements such as minimum enrollment, grade-point average and be in good standing with their university.

Next up for the team is a show in Nacogdoches, Texas, on March 13. This is an all-collegiate competition. Afterward, the team will head to Austin for an invitational event on March 15.

The team will spend spring break showing in Cheyenne, Wyo., on March 19-20. They will wrap up the season in Lubbock, Texas, for the college finals on April 24-25.

The American Stock Horse Association was chartered as a non-profit organization in 2008. It is dedicated to enhancing the pleasure of owning and riding horses through creating better horses and horsemen. The association’s mission is simple: help people ride a better horse.

Included in photo: Back Row (Left to Right): Chris Gosnel, Ben Tyner, Taylor Moore, Tanner Rush, Amy Wright, Nichole Kneale, Karey McPhee Front Row (Left to Right): Casey James Spann, Tia Johnson (SHOT team treasurer), Renee Loring, Stephanie Dickson (SHOT team secretary), Jaycee Thompson, Tatum Willard (SHOT team president), Jeri Goodale, Brandy Brown, Jacklyn Jones, Laura Pearson (SHOT team vice-president) Not in Pic: Ashley Cotton, Brendan Garrison, Emily Willis, Megan Lasater, Teresa Torchia