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.
Holly Hopkins, Ranch Horse Team Coach
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.
2023-2024 Ranch Horse Team
Ty Arnold, Team Member 
Hometown: Corona, New Mexico
Program of Study: Horse Training Management AAS
Horse: I’m riding Motor Scotter Rose aka “Tippy” a 5 year old bay roan mare that I started as a sophomore in high school. Tippy is quick to learn new skills and easily takes on the daily challenges of ranch work.
Goals after college: I plan to own and operate my own cattle operation as well as raise and train the horses that are used on my cattle operation.
Past accomplishments or future aspirations: While at LCC, I competed at the National Western Stock Show Horseman’s Challenge in January 2024 placing 2nd overall in the collegiate division with Tippy. I recently completed a Silversmithing Certificate and Wind Energy Certificate. I plan to continue working on my silversmithing along with building a cattle operation.
Allysah Boyd, Team Member
Hometown: Omaha, Texas
Program of Study: Equine Business Management AAS
Horse: I’m riding Fritz Little Miss Nitro, or Izzie. Izzie is a 4 year old mare raised on our family farm. She is barrel/cow bred and has an easy going disposition.
Goals after college: After graduating I plan to continue showing and continuing my education to become an agricultural extension agent. I will always be committed and open to improving my horsemanship and I look forward to always working with horses.
Past accomplishments or future aspirations: In high school, I was the FFA Vice President of my school chapter and FFA District Student advisor and have an appreciation for agriculture. I took part in showing breeding heifers and goats in high school. Also, I enjoyed tennis and cross country . I lived outside of Fort Worth Stockyards and attended nearly every horse event every weekend- from cutting, wagon racing, rodeos, halter classes, and the list goes on. Always in the stands at Fort Worth, and now at Lamar Community College I have been given the opportunity to be the show arena.
Diego Márquez, Team Member
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.
Audreauna Shahan, Team Member
Hometown: Chrome, Colorado
Program of Study: Equine Business Management AAS and Horse Training Management AAS
Horse: Little Ann, 2021 mare, was born and raised on our ranch. I began showing her as a 2 year old on LCC’s Ranch Horse team- we competed at National Western Stock Show’s Horseman’s Challenge in January 2024.
Goals after college: After graduation, I plan to continue training horses for performance and daily ranch work, helping them reach their potential. I anticipate focusing my internship on training in the reined cow horse industry.
Past accomplishments or future aspirations: I’ve helped raise colts on the ranch for several years, responsible for foaling, haltering, and riding colts, where I have learned an appreciation for horses. This has had a significant impact on me and helped direct my goals in life and within the equine industry. In high school, I participated in FFA and several 4-H projects to include the Catch-A-Calf Program. I anticipate always working in the equine industry and having an appreciation of the Western lifestyle.
2022-2023 Ranch Horse Team
Aubrie Brown, Team Member 2022-2023
Hometown: Gunnison, Colorado
Major: Equine Business Management and Horse Training Management
Year: Freshman
Aubrie was a qualifier and competed in the 2022 National High School Girls cutting event. She also competes in Trap Shooting and .22 Shooting competitions.
She was raised on a ranch and plans to eventually return to that lifestyle and to the Ag industry after college. Her ideal job is to train horses to rope and cut, and to be a leader in the horse breeding industry. Aubrie is competing on LCC’s Rodeo Team in team roping, breakaway and barrels.
“I love to rope and ride,” said Aubrie.
Gains Lunsford. Team Member 2022-2023
Hometown: Dimmitt, Texas
Major: Equine Business Management and Horse Training Management
Year: Freshman
Gaines is a third generation cowboy. He was President of his high school FFA Chapter and competed in numerous FFA contests.
“I enjoy ranching, riding and training colts, and preparing horses for the cutting pen,” said Gains.
Bela Meza, Team Member 2022-2023
Hometown: Elizabeth, Colorado
Major: Equine Business Management
In high school, Bela competed in soccer. In addition, she has enjoyed working at a boarding stable.
She is also on LCC’s rodeo team and is spending time improving her roping skills and plans to compete next fall.
“I like working with horses and helping a horse get more comfortable in its environment,” said Bela.
Want to join us? Fill out the Equine Student Questionnaire today!