UW has many things to offer in every department and the Ranch Horse Versatility Team is a unique one to experience for all horse lovers, owners, or for those who want to learn more about the equine industry.
The Ranch Horse Versatility Team is a club sport involving equestrian events including reining, trail, western pleasure, cow work, and recently roping.
The club is run by a group of officers elected by the members from the previous semester and has two advisors that make up the leadership team.
“I love to see everyone get better at what they are working on for that day,” says Nick Wade, the president of the team. “Today we taught four people how to catch a [roping] dummy.”
As President of the team, Wade’s biggest goal is to teach people a little bit of ranching and to also thrive in the showing competitions.
Showing events are put on by Slidin’ Daze organization. The team competes against other ranch horse versatility teams across the state, Colorado, and even one from Nebraska.
Gabriel Wigington, the secretary of the team shares more insight on what it is like to be on the show team.
“We have three to four shows each semester and even national shows ,” Wigington said. “We have collegiate nationals in San Antonio, Texas and in Fort Worth, Texas, we even get the chance to compete at the Celebration of Champions in the collegiate division.”
Wigington’s favorite part about the team is getting to see everyone work together to improve their horsemanship.
Apart from showing on the team, you get to meet other students with the same interests. Sammi Nack, the Vice President of the team is looking forward to improving relationships with the team.
“I’m really excited to get to know new members of the team,” states Nack. “I hope that we can become closer with some of the other collegiate teams by reaching out to them and maybe even putting on a show with us.”
During the teams first meeting of the year, there were approximately 43 members who signed up to be on the team. Elijah Warnken, a returning member who received the Top Hand Award last year as a freshman.
The Top Hand award goes to any team member who puts time in to help the team the most.
“I was one of the first members at practice. It was awesome to help put up cows, clean up the trail pattern, and clean out the arena before the officers had to go. Essentially, you had to come and help to get it.” Warnken said.
Warnken’s favorite part of being on the team is the community.
