CC equine program returning for fall ‘17

Clarendon College is moving to revive a proven program this fall as a way of boosting enrollment and complementing its well established agriculture programs.

CC’s Equine Judging program was successful seven years ago, and college officials say it will be again.

“The program coach left and the college didn’t fill that position back then,” CC President Robert Riza said. “Now we’re looking to add programs, and we have everything we need to bring back equine judging.”

The program’s return was approved at the February board of regents’ meeting, and Dr. Riza says interviews for the coaching position will begin soon.

“This is a program that we can add in Clarendon, it will add numbers in the dorms, and they are good kids,” Riza said. “This is also a program that feeds directly into West Texas A&M and Texas Tech where many of our kids go.”

CC Vice President of Academic Affairs Brian Fuller says equine judging is a great opportunity for students and adding the program will further develop the ag offerings at the college.

“Students can gain useful knowledge for careers as horsemen, ranch environments, and livestock evaluation,” Fuller said. “These kids will also see the biggest professional and amateur competitive horse shows there are, and the program will help them prepare to become carded judgers in the future.”

The equine judging program, which will be one of the few junior college programs in the state, will mostly travel to Ft. Worth, Oklahoma City, and Weatherford and to the All American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio.

Students will also visit other minor shows to gain experience, Fuller said.

West Texas A&M University has the premier equine judging program, and Clarendon’s program will work closely with WTAMU with academic ag credits designed to transfer to WT and other regional universities.

Fuller said CC already has top meat and livestock judging teams, but livestock judging does not generally include horses.

“This program will help round out our judging program,” he said.

The equine judging program competes in teams of five, Fuller said, and Clarendon College expects to add 15 to 20 students with the program this fall.

To get more information about the new equine judging program, call Clarendon College at 806-874-3571.