East Texas A&M University Equine Studies major Avie McKinley recently earned Reserve Champion honors at the Stock Horse of Texas (SHTX) Kickoff Classic event in Bryan, Texas.

McKinley and her horse “Beaucephus” took home second place in the All-Around category in a field of 25 riders in the Collegiate Novice division, which is reserved for riders with limited experience who wish to learn more about showing in SHTX at a beginner's pace. In order for students to compete for the All-Around championship, they must compete in the four classes of Stock Horse Pleasure, Stock Horse Trail, Stock Horse Reining, and Working Cow Horse.

McKinley won the Pleasure category while finishing fifth in Reining, seventh in Working and ninth in Trail.

East Texas A&M competes in the Collegiate Division II of Stock Horse of Texas and the National Intercollegiate Ranch and Stock Horse Association.

This continues a run of success for the ET Stock Horse Team, as riders Maddie Prince and Meagan Harding won first and second place in the Novice Division All-Around competition at the Central Texas Stock Horse Limestone Region Championship Clinic & Show in late 2025.