Make your mark on LCC and the region on our Ranch Horse Team. As part of the Stock Horse of Texas collegiate program and its affiliate Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska Stock Horse Association, and the American Stock Horse Association, the mission of LCC’s Ranch Horse Team is to prepare you and your horse to compete at the collegiate level in versatility ranch horse. You will prepare for competition in ranch riding and stock horse pleasure, ranch trail, ranch reining, ranch cutting and working ranch, and working cow horse.
Cole Bennett, Head Ranch Horse Coach
Cole currently reside near Syracuse, KS. He runs a small cow calf operation and a horse training business, Cole Bennett Cowhorses, LLC. Cole was born and raised in Syracuse, where horses were a big part of his family and they got to help his dad gather cows and go to playdays and do all the events. In high school, he competed in riding saddle broncs and team roping. Cole continued on after high school growing his skills working in feed yards riding pens along with a few different ranch jobs where his goal was always to be a better horseman. Along the way, he started colts for extra money here and there. Cole have been competing at the state level in open competition with the NRCHA since 2017. Competing with the Colorado reined cowhorse association, panhandle reined cowhorse association and a few other affiliates. He competed in our first premier event in the NRCHA in 2020. Cole also enjoys competing at VRH and ranching heritage challenge events throughout the year. Cole tested and received his NRCHA judge’s card in December of 2023.
Holly Hopkins, Ranch Horse Team Staff
Holly is the Horse Program Assistant. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Equine and Ranch Management from Feather River College and a Master of Science degree in Agriculture with an emphasis on Equine Reproduction at Missouri State University. In 2020, she worked as an Intern for Lee Stock Horse and was able to train her horse to show in the Snaffle Bit Futurities in Reno, Nevada and NRCHA Idaho. Holly placed 5th in the limited Non-Pro at Reno. She had gained more experience starting colts and selling horses while working as the student vet tech and barn manager at Feather River College where she found she enjoyed working with students. During her time at MSU, she taught lectures and labs in Introduction to Riding, Equine Reproduction, Physiology, and colt starting. There she found her passion to teach others.
Savanna Mauch, Ranch Horse Team Staff
Savanna is the Equine, Ag, and Rodeo Department Chair and the Equine Business Management instructor. Savanna holds a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and a Master of Education degree from South Dakota State University. Savanna was on the Equestrian Team at South Dakota State University is excited to bring collegiate competition to Lamar Community College. Savanna strives to help students become well rounded in their knowledge and continue to grow to become leaders of the equine industry.
Kelli Gaines, Ranch Horse Team Advisor
Kelli is a part-time staff member with LCC’s ranch horse team. She supports the team’s logistics. She is involved in the equine industry as a limited amateur rider. She rides Dixon Got a Gun “Dixon” in versatility ranch horse and is working towards the Legend award with the National Versatility Ranch Horse Association. Kelli graduated from CSU with a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and a Master’s of Science in Organizational Leadership in 2010. She is employed with the Colorado Community College System. She’s excited to support LCC’s team and truly believes these students are developing lifelong skills and many great memories along the way.
2024-2025 Ranch Horse Team
Diego Márquez
Hometown: Querétaro, Mexico
Program of Study: Equine Business Management AAS and Horse Training Management AAS
Horse: I’m riding Marqed Wimp aka “Poky”, I’ve had him since he was a 2 year old. He was shown at the NRHA Futurity Mexicano 2021. Prior to that, I showed him in the Youth 14-18 category, where we won some shows: 2022 ANECR MEXICO OCTOBER SHOW Youth 14-18 National Champion, 2023 ANECR Clásico de Verano Youth 14-18 Champion, Top 5 several times in Rookie L1, Non Professional and Limited Non Professional in the NRHA. He’s a great horse and has been only showed as a Reining Horse but here at Lamar Community College, we are working in other disciplines such as Trail, Ranch Riding and Cow Horse.
Goals after College: I have always dreamed of becoming a Professional Horse Trainer, specialized in Reining Horses. After college, I would like to work for some trainers, to gain enough experience with the goal to be independent in a few years. The first place I would go to, would be in Texas at Matt Mills Reining Horses. Matt has been a great friend, has supported me many times, and is a person that I admire a lot and I would like to continue learning from him.
Past Accomplishments or Future Aspirations:
Two of my most important accomplishments are:
• I graduated from high school in 2023
• I made my dream of studying in the US by being accepted at Lamar Community College.
Some accomplishments related to horses are:
• Youth 14-18 National champion at NRHA Futurity Mexicano 2021 and 2022
• I represent Mexico at the NRHA World Youth Reining Cup in Cremona, Italy in 2023.
• NRHyA Delegate of Mexico on 2021,2022,2023.
Brycen Stewart
Hometown: Bronson Kansas
Program of study: Horse Training & Management and Equine Business Management
Horse: I am riding Kings Cody Hancock, aka “Bad Luck”. He is a 5 year old gelding that I purchased and started as a senior in highschool. Bad Luck is a hard working, never quits kind of ranch horse.
Goals after College: I plan on running my own cattle operation and training colts for performance and ranch work.
Past Accomplishments and Future Aspirations: I am a CePRA qualifier for Ranch Bronc Riding in the Central Plains Region. On the Ranch Horse Team, I hope to better my understanding and skills of horsemanship while also learning the show side of ranching.
Walker Rainey
Hometown: Peyton Colorado
Program of study: Horse Training Management AAS
Horse: I am riding DCH Anna Marie, aka “Sophie” She is a 3yr old mare that is a fast learner and an easy one to get along with
Goals after College: I plan on running a yearling outfit and having a cow/calf herd. I also plan on training some performance horses and making nice usable ranch horses
Past Accomplishments and Future Aspirations: My Goal on the Ranch Horse Team is to learn the aspects and etiquette of the showpen while also furthering my personal and horse’s knowledge.
Kendal Hill
Hometown: Lipscomb, Texas
Program of study: Horse Training & Management and Equine Business Management
Horse:I am using my horse “Brumby”; I got him when he was one year old and trained him with the help of my mom. I have taken him to rodeos to break away on, worked cows, and branded off of.
Goals after College: My goal after college is to run my own chiropractor and massage therapy services also training and riding horses.
Past Accomplishments and Future Aspirations: I was involved in JRCA and FFA for four years.
Addison Engelbrecht
Hometown: Cheyenne Wells, Colorado
Program of study: Horse Training & Management and Equine Business Management
Horse: I am currently using “Moon” and I have had her since she was a weanling. I started her unsaddle as a 2 year old last fall.
Goals after College: I want to pursue a career of either Equine Massage or Equine Chiropractic care or both.
Past Accomplishments and Future Aspirations: I have been around horses for most of my life and I have done pretty much everything with them. Whether that be ranching, showing, or training. I plan to finish college with an associates degree in Equine Business Management program. Then I intend to go to work for a vet while doing my own Equine Chiropractic and massage on the side
Bay Milne
Hometown: Cullman, Alabama
Program of Study: Horse Training & Management and Equine Business Management
Horse: Dudes Georgia Dulce aka “Trigger”. He is a 17 year old palomino. He was a head horse until I started working him on some patterns and different maneuvers so I could use him for the team and further my knowledge in showing.
Goals after College: My goals after LCC is to start colts and specialize young horse in whatever performance I decide on.
Past Accomplishments & Future Aspirations: My Future aspirations are to be the best, I can be in whatever I do. I want to be very proficient at colt starting so I can grow a successful business in this industry.
Rangle Osborne
Hometown: Mountain View, Wyoming
Program of Study: Horse Training & Management
Horse: Farra Rey Boon aka “Quagmire” helped me in rein cow horse and cutting in High School Rodeo.
Goals after College: I would like to start my own place and start training client horses.
Past Accomplishments & Future Aspirations: I won the short go at the state finals and almost making nationals at NHSRA.
Alumni Ranch Horse Team
Ty Arnold, 2023-2024
Audreauna Shahan, 2023-2024
Allysah Boyd, 2023-2024
Sierra Higby, 2023-2024
Hailey Ebright, 2024
Aubrie Brown, 2022-2023
Bela Meza, 2022-2023
Gains Lunsford, 2022-2023
If you are interested in the team and a horse program, fill out the Equine Student Questionnaire today! If you are interested in the team, contact Cole Bennett at (806) 338-0055 or cole.bennett@lamarcc.edu!